Drew (left) and Christina Stewart (right) have been helping businesses find and hire awesome employees in BC for a combined 40+ years
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Building a respectful workplace is essential to a business, and although everyone certainly agrees, I’m usually asked why it matters so much in the recruitment process. The people applying are just applicants or candidates – they aren’t even employees yet. Why does it matter how you treat someone who isn’t an employee? Why not expend your energy on those that have already made the cut?
When I get asked these questions I wonder to myself if there is a magic line in the sand when people suddenly become more worthy of an employer’s respect. They are always people. Hu-man beings who want to work for you. People who are asking to spend day after day pushing, slogging, creating, crafting, and producing for you. They are always deserving of respect.
What does it say about an employer who thanks applicants for applying? What does it say when they don’t? It’s more than a nice touch when an applicant gets a response from a company after submitting a resume; at minimum, it confirms the resume was received and at most it indicates that the applicant is more than just a number.
Or what about companies that don’t tell a candidate who has been interviewed that they didn’t get the job. These candidates took the time to pick out and press nice clothing, prepare and research your company, think of answers to questions, maybe even take time off of current work or arrange childcare, and in some way fit the interview into their lives, and after all that, hey go through a stressful interview with you. They sit in the hot seat and try to be likeable but not too friendly, knowledgeable but not boastful, and share all the relevant details but not talk too much. Even if it’s uncomfortable, please pick up the phone to tell them they didn’t get the job. It may not feel very kind, but it really is.
During every touch point with a candidate there is an opportunity to create your reputation as an employer who respects people. Even if these folks don’t get the role, there is a good chance they will share their experience with others and keep in mind they may also be a customer! A few courtesies go a long way in setting yourself up as a respectful employer of choice.
Christina Stewart is the Co-Founder and Owner of Praxis Recruitment, and can be reached at 778-658-0696 or christina@ praxisrecruitment.ca.