I just read an article that I wish I wrote, 10 Ways Companies Drive Away Talent, by Liz Ryan. This article is just the best. Liz Ryan outlines in no uncertain terms the ways the candidate’s poor experience during the recruiting process drives talent away.
This exact topic comes up over and over again with our clients. Companies are shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly with foolish systems, processes, and rules that drive talent away. It is astounding.
It is not possible for employers to continually complain that the talent is not out there when you put up a huge wall preventing talent from reaching you. It makes no sense.
Reid, a new connection and former HR Director now on the other side, complained bitterly about the electronic barriers erected by companies to prevent candidates from reaching a real person. He is appalled and embarrassed because once long ago he implemented these kinds of systems without understanding the implications.
Ms. Ryan has some great points:
The black hole where resumes go to die. Inflexible rules that serve no apparent purpose. Hiring managers that have no idea what they really need.
This rant is not only directed to human resources people, although they should know better. Folks outside of HR are just as guilty or at least complicit. Bringing in new talent is about building relationships. There should be no barrier between talent and the people in your company who want to have a relationship with talented people.
Employers, check your processes. Better yet, apply for a job at your company and see what it is like. What impression are you leaving with candidates? I guarantee you in the future when they have choices of vendors or service providers they will remember that bad experience. I’ve heard the stories.
Judy worked for 30 years as a research lab manager. For 30 years she refused to purchase a particular brand of beakers because that company treated her badly during the interview process 30 years earlier. People remember.
Think of the recruiting game as a match making experience. Would you put up these kind of barriers if you were seeking a new mate? Of course not. Selecting a new teammate is almost as important. You cannot have barriers between you and candidates. Period. Fix it now or you will regret it for years in the future.