How to Respond to Candidates

Wow -- in this market, we who advertise jobs can get a lot of resumes!

Unfortunately, many of them are from candidates who do not meet the requirements of the particular job. As more people lose their job they cast a wider net in order to find employment. That is understandable, but can create a lot more work for those on my end of the exchange.

If you receive the resumes for your company -- how do you respond? Increasingly, the candidates I speak to say that they generally get no response at all. That is unfortunate and can create a negative impression of your company. On the other hand, one candidate today told me that he got a typed personal letter in response. That is simply amazing -- and not at all required.

While I certainly don't respond with a typed personal letter, I do try to make sure that every candidate does hear from me. As I can have 10 or more jobs posted at one time, it makes sense to streamline the process a bit.
1. I do not respond upon receipt of an emailed resume.
2. When I have reviewed the resumes (generally and ideally no more than 3 weeks after it has been sent to me) I respond with one of two auto text messages. Each candidate receives either a note that is a polite no thank you, or a note requesting time for a phone interview.
3. After the phone interviews,if the client does not want to interview a candidate, I call him or her to relay that information. Of course they get an immediate call or email if the client wants an in-house interview.

This system is a polite, fair way to correspond with the candidates and to let them know where they stand. Every company that posts jobs should develop a process that works for them -- and that informs the candidates of their status. It's the right thing to do.