Friday, August 08, 2008

A Second Look

Totally Consumed has a post on rejected candidates. It's rare to have a rejected candidate "put themselves" out there by asking for feedback. In fact, it's so rare that I remember these people.

When candidates are hired, HR is done with them (from an applicant standpoint). Of course, this is a very great thing because the process was a raving success and we can move on to the next recruitment. Unless we work closely with them as an employee, we are done knowing about their skills.

This is where rejected candidates come into play. They have to work harder for it. They are working to find out why they weren't a fit, whether we might have something else for them, etc. I get to know these people in a way. Because their continued interest is so unusual, I remember them.

There have been a few of these candidates who have gone on to be hired. Some I have actually recommended. Not for hire of course but for consideration.

Is it a big surprise that these eventual employees are often the best employees we have?

In fact, I was once one of these rejected candidates. Let that be a lesson...

3 comments:

HR Minion said...

Persistence pays off. As long as you're not a jerk.

MsPinkSlip said...

Minion: They usually are jerks but I am writing about the rare gems who do it right.

Andres said...

"...rejected candidates ... have to work harder for it".

You're definitely on to something with this quote. Maybe we'd get higher quality hires if we rejected all applicants, then only interviewed those that followed-up?

Things that make you go hmmm.

P.S. Thanks for the link-love!