Communication is key during your job search

August 11, 2017

Looking for a new job is a full-time job in itself. It takes a lot of time, patience, research and commitment.

Whether you partner with a recruiter or embark on a solo job search, open and transparent communication is key. I encourage open lines of communication with my candidates (and clients) at all stages of the recruitment process and it starts from the very first conversation. For me to consult to you and support you in your job search, it’s important for me to understand:

Your motivations
What gets you excited
The pros and cons of your current job
Your five-year career plan
Other opportunities you are considering (and why)
Your remuneration expectations (especially if these change).

As I embark on my sixth year in recruitment there have been a few recent reminders of why all of this is so important.

The market is buoyant and although competition for top talent is high, so is the competition for great roles within well-known businesses. It might be a great start-up business with the opportunity to drive strategy, an attractive brand or product or the opportunity to work with a great leader, regardless, if you want to work for that business you can guarantee others do too.

Someone I was helping with their job search recently almost missed out on the role because they went silent waiting for an offer from another company. My client’s interpretation? “They don’t want the role”. This couldn’t have been further from the truth, but it almost cost the candidate the role.

In another example, a candidate almost withdrew from the process at offer stage as their personal situation had changed, they wanted a part time role. When discussed with the client they were more than happy to show flexibility as the person was deemed top talent.

Partnering with a recruitment consultant

It is my job to partner with you as well as my client, I want to ensure the best outcome for everyone. Therefore, if your situation changes throughout the process, it’s important for you to be transparent so that I, with your consultation, can manage expectations of the client. Changes that often occur during a process include:

your personal situation (family illness, child care arrangements) a change of heart
a change in salary expectation
concerns about the role
change in status in other applications.

Ultimately, we are on the same team and where possible we will go in to bat for you. But if we are not privy to information until the eleventh hour, the opportunity to get you what you want may pass (see examples above!).

The result can be a poor experience for all parties involved and which can negatively impact on your personal brand. It’s okay to decline an offer but you want people to have a positive experience with you. Who knows, you may end up working for that person five years down the track.

Here are my top communication tips:

Don’t be afraid to be honest and advise your recruitment partner of any personal changes.
Be honest with your salary expectations and re-confirm this through-out the process.
If you are in process for another role its important to notify your recruitment partner so they can manage expectations.
If you receive an offer for another job opportunity, share this information with your recruitment partner, who knows, they could get you an extra $10,000.
If you heart is not in it, and the role isn’t for you, it’s okay to pull out of the process.