Transparency, the Missing Link Between Job Seekers & Recruiters

I've been seeing a lot of posts lately by recruiters, sharing tips for job seekers on what they should/shouldn’t do. I have been thinking a lot lately about the job search process and collecting feedback from the job seeker side, and how the two -- job seeker and recruiters -- can work better together. Over the years, many tips have reminded consistent, but in today’s digital world, I feel one thing has changed greatly, and that is transparency. 

From the job seeker side, it is important to be clear and up front with recruiters on what you are looking for. This includes sharing a wish of what your ideal dream job looks like, including desired benefits, location, work/life balance, and start date. This also includes sharing what you are *not* looking for. You may not get all the items on your wish list, and you may very well get called for a job you aren’t terribly interested, but take a leap. Go on that interview. Ask questions and learn more. Perhaps your preconceived notions of what you weren’t interested in can be turned around. Laying it on the table in advance can help recruiters better support you in your search, and evaluate opportunities that are in line with what you are looking for. And who knows, maybe a wish list item becomes less important or a job you thought wasn't really your cup of tea, becomes a perfect fit, creating a win for both. 

On the flip side, transparency from recruiters is also important. If a candidate has interviewed for a job, be proactive in sending them a note on where they are in the process and/or status of an interview. At minimum, respond to their phone call or email. Too many times I’ve heard of candidates responding quickly to an opportunity or going on an interview, only to have their response and/or interview be met with silence. Many times the job seeker has sent multiple emails, with nary a response. Or in some cases, receiving a response, but weeks, even months down the line after multiple reach out attempts were made by the job seeker. Not every candidate is perfect for every job. This is fine. It happens. But if a candidate is being proactive, being responsive and transparent seems not only appropriate, but right. Even if the response is to tell them “no news.” If this is the case, be clear on when you may have news and when that time does comes, even if there is no news to report, following up to say so. Multiple emails from a candidate that aren’t returned, or responding weeks even a months later, not only leaves the job seeker with lack of clarity, but doesn’t put you in the best of light, either. The relationship between job seeker and recruiter isn't just one of email send and response. It's a relationship, and should be treated as such. Job seekers shouldn’t be left to read between the lines or "getting the message” with a lack of response. There is a person on the other end of that phone line or email address. Treat them as such. I’m sure its hard to tell candidate they didn’t get a job, or the employer went in another direction. But trust me. Rip the Band-Aid off. Tell the job seeker. And don’t be afraid to tell them what they can do better next time, if there is feedback you feel needs to be shared with them. Their cheeks may burn. They may hang up the phone, disappointed. But they will respect you for it later down the line when they put that feedback to use in their next interview.

I hope I'm not giving myself a shovel here. But it really is simple: let’s learn to be transparent again. In the old days, we relied on meeting in person and the telephone. But this marvelous thing called technology has removed those barriers and given us a new way to communicate in a more timely fashion. Let’s use it for us, not against. Falling off a cliff isn’t helpful for the job seeker, and being afraid to tell a recruiter what you want isn’t being too forward. Its called transparency and it can help keep a harmonious balance between job seekers and recruiters.