Pre-Closing Candidates
In her talk, Emily McLeod of WOW Recruitment emphasizes the importance of pre-closing in the recruitment process to manage candidates effectively. Pre-closing involves asking strategic questions to gauge candidates’ genuine interest and commitment to a role, enabling recruiters to handle potential objections proactively. Emily highlights the need to build trust and rapport with candidates, as this forms the foundation for effective pre-closing. She advises recruiters to pre-close during every interaction with candidates, suggesting this practice should be especially prioritized during initial discussions about the role, interview preparations, post-interview feedback, and every subsequent communication until a job offer is accepted. Key questions to ask include checking for any changes since last communications, inquiring about other roles the candidate might be considering, and understanding their concerns about the role. Emily asserts that regular practice of pre-closing will enhance recruiters' ability to secure committed candidates.