Candidate Management & Rejection

Emily McLeod from WOW Recruitment emphasizes the importance for recruiters of managing candidate and client expectations right from the start, particularly regarding the delivery of feedback. She notes that recruiters often struggle with rejecting candidates due to discomfort with confrontation and lack of feedback from clients. To address this, Emily suggests practical techniques including establishing clear expectations, providing timely feedback, and acknowledging candidates' efforts. She also advises on ways to offer constructive feedback and maintain relationships by discussing future opportunities and staying in contact. A key strategic approach she mentions is setting aside specific times to update candidates to ensure consistent and timely communication. Her overarching advice is for recruiters to practice these conversations regularly to become more comfortable with the process, ultimately helping improve the profession's reputation and ensuring positive candidate experiences.