Last month, we talked about recruiter-candidate relationships. This month, we’re diving back in but from the client side of things. Like with part one of our recruiter relationship articles, we have advice that boils down to a couple of things: communication and staying in touch!

Clients who work with us as a partner rather than a vendor tend to have the best experiences. We have so much to offer beyond finding talent. We have industry expertise and can offer insights in the job market and what you need to do in order to hire the best candidate for your organization. We’ll work with you to establish a process and timeline from the beginning, so there are clear expectations on both sides of the equation. We consult on all aspects of your search from the job description to salary ranges to what to ask during interviews and how to streamline the process.

Another aspect of search that we find has a direct correlation to how effective we can be as a recruiting partner is the willingness of hiring managers to be involved in the kickoff and status calls. Even if the process is being managed through HR/Talent, having direct, regular contact with the hiring manager makes a huge difference. The insights that the hiring manager can provide into the culture of the team and the soft skills the ideal candidate should have can, and do, impact the length and success of the search.

Regular check-ins and timely feedback are keys to success once we’ve kicked off the search. Hearing what makes our candidates a good fit or what takes them out of the running is crucial to us ultimately being able to find your person. Discussing what our clients are looking for in a candidate is not generally a one and done process. We know that sometimes you have to meet people to figure out exactly how to express what you’re looking for. We view client feedback on candidates as an opportunity to adjust. Without those insights from our client, it can be extremely difficult to find the right fit and requires some guesswork on your recruiter’s part. 

Feedback also contributes to the best experience for candidates too. We appreciate clear information on how the interview went as soon as you can provide it, and our candidates will too. You never know how things will change in the future, and someone who isn’t a fit today might be perfect down the road for another role. 

Outside of search, an ongoing relationship benefits us all. Established contact makes it easier when you do have a role that needs filling. We already have familiarity with your organization, and when you keep us up-to-date, we can be even more effective. 

We love to catch up with our clients. We want to hear how things are going with your team (and especially how our placements are doing!) or talk about industry trends and organization structures. 

We want you to think of us as more than a vendor. We’re your partner in your search, and we want to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for. Our relationships with our clients don’t have to begin and end with search. We can still be a valuable resource to you when you don’t have a role to fill. 

Have you worked with one of our recruiters in the past? Send them a note to catch up! We love hearing from past clients. Looking for a partner in your next search? Reach out at info@chaloner.com.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Houde is a Project Manager at Chaloner. After graduating from Guilford College where they majored in English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and minored in communications, Elizabeth started their career in New York City in publishing as an editorial coordinator.