Why Phone Calls are Essential for Successful Recruitment: The Importance of Personal Connection in a Digital Age

Communication has become much easier and more accessible with the advancement of technology.

There are now several options available for communication, including email, messaging apps, and phone calls. However, in recruitment and in general, the importance of phone calls over messages cannot be overstated. In this article, we will explore why phone calls are still relevant in today's digital age.

When recruiting, a phone call is a great way to connect with candidates on a deeper level. It allows you to get a sense of their personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role. During a phone call, you can ask follow-up questions and get more in-depth answers than you would in a message. This allows you to better understand the candidate's experience, skills, and motivation for applying for the job. Moreover, a phone call can help to build a rapport and establish a relationship with the candidate, making them more likely to consider your organization for future opportunities.

In addition, phone calls are an effective way to quickly resolve issues or misunderstandings that might arise in the world of recruitment. Miscommunications or misunderstandings can lead to negative outcomes for both the candidate and the recruiter. A phone call allows you to address these issues quickly, ensuring a smoother and more efficient recruitment process.

Outside of recruitment, phone calls remain an essential tool for communication in the workplace. Whether it is discussing projects, giving feedback, or networking, phone calls provide a level of personal connection that cannot be replicated by messages or emails. It allows you to build relationships with colleagues, clients, and partners, leading to more successful business outcomes.

Emails, especially automated ones, can all appear the same after a while. Therefore, when you email candidates, they may just glaze over the message before hitting the delete button. This is especially true if the email seems impersonal or cold, as many emails do. Phone calls are a lot more memorable. Your candidate may remember the call days or even weeks later. This increases your chances of successful recruitment.

Most people do not open an email as soon as they get it. Some even allow their inboxes to fill up with hundreds or thousands of unread messages. Yet many individuals answer their ringing phones or check their voicemails right away. You should thus get a quicker response when you make a call. Picking up the phone saves you time, as well. After all, it only takes a few seconds to dial a number. Writing a message to email candidates can take a while.

It is often hard to decipher a candidate's personality via email. When people write messages to a recruiter, they usually stick to formalities and a strict structure. Phone calls allow the candidates to be themselves, especially if you give the conversation a warmer, more relaxed vibe. Phone calls thus help you determine whether a candidate is a right fit for a particular company and role. Many times, the candidate's attitude is more important than his actual skill set.

Have you ever tried to get your point across in an email, only for the recipient to misunderstand what you are saying? This can often lead to time-consuming and frustrating email chains where you attempt to clarify your message. When you talk to a candidate over the phone, it is easier to clarify your statements quickly. Similarly, if you email candidates, they can easily misinterpret your tone. The candidate could get upset and may no longer want to work with you. Phone conversations allow you and the candidate to determine the true intentions behind each statement.

While emails and instant messages are becoming common, they still do not convey the seriousness or authority that a phone call does. By calling your candidate personally rather than sending them an email, you are emphasizing how much you care about the candidate and their job search.