?? Dear Recruiters, It's Time for a Heart-to-Heart ??
Kathy Yost, SHRM-SCP, MCPC ?????
Career Coach | The "Fixer" | Organizational Justice Advocate | HR Disruptor
A Journey From Y2K to Today in Elevating the Candidate Experience
Dear Recruiters,
Flashback to 1997: a world without LinkedIn, where the buzz of fax machines filled our offices, and Y2K loomed on the horizon as the potential “fiasco” that could end it all. As someone who started recruiting during these formative years, I’ve navigated our industry’s seismic shifts from analog to digital, witnessing firsthand how the essence of recruitment has transformed—and in some ways, stayed the same.
In those pre-Y2K days, our tools were limited but our connections were deep. We didn’t just send out emails; we made calls, we met face to face, we built relationships. It was personal, it was direct, and above all, it was human.
Fast forward to today, and while technology has revolutionized our processes, making us more efficient and connected than ever, it’s also introduced challenges that we could not have anticipated back in the '90s. As much as I appreciate the digital advancements that have propelled our profession forward, I’m here to address a growing concern: In the whirlwind of automation and ATS, we’ve let the candidate experience fall by the wayside.
Rediscovering the Human Connection
Reflecting on the pre-digital era reminds us of the resilience, adaptability, and personal touch that characterized recruitment. These qualities are precisely what we need to reintroduce into today’s recruitment strategies to enhance the candidate experience.
Communicate Clearly and Consistently
Remember the value of a phone call? Let’s bring that level of personalized communication back. Even if it’s an email, envision the candidate on the other end and make it as personal as a handshake introduction.
Personalize the Recruitment Process
We knew our candidates as people, not just resumes. We understood their dreams, their skills, and their stories. It’s time to use our digital tools not to distance ourselves but to get even closer.
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Be Transparent About the Process
The digital age has somehow made the recruitment process more opaque. Let’s peel back the layers and guide our candidates through the journey with the same transparency we had when our tools were simpler.
Offer Constructive Feedback
Back when feedback was a conversation, not a form letter, it was a tool for growth and connection. It’s high time we bring that back.
Bridging Generations: The Mentorship Between Old and New
In the midst of navigating our digital transformation, there's a powerful resource within our ranks that we're underutilizing: the wealth of knowledge and experience held by recruiters who began their careers in the pre-digital era. The mentorship between seasoned recruiters and their younger counterparts is a golden opportunity for knowledge exchange.
Conclusion: A Future Forged Together
Our journey from the analog days to the digital age reminds us of the enduring value of human connection in recruitment. By bridging the gap between the old and new, we not only honor the legacy of those who paved the way but also empower the next generation of recruiters to carry forward the torch with a renewed focus on the candidate experience.
Let this be our pledge: to build a future where every candidate's journey is met with the same dedication, respect, and human connection that has been the hallmark of our profession. Together, as mentors and mentees, as veterans and newcomers, we can redefine what it means to recruit in the 21st century.
Yours in progress and reflection,
Coach Kathy