Consider the frustration candidates face when transparency, fairness, and genuine engagement are lacking in their job search. This void not only diminishes the appeal for passive talent but also leaves the recruitment journey lacking the trust required to propel candidates forward. The result? Top-tier candidates slipping through your fingers, disheartened by a disjointed process that fails to showcase your organization as a trustworthy and appealing employer.
The beauty of being in recruitment is having the opportunity to work with all types of positions, organizations, and personalities. I feel as if with every role I fill, I always find a connection and really get to see how transferable skills truly transfer over. My recent aha moment was the overlap in fundraising roles and talent acquisition.
Asking for money is no easy feat for a lot of non-profit professionals. I had the pleasure of meeting some true gems over the past few weeks that have raised millions of dollars from foundations. One competency was always top of mind that translates into dollars - stewardship. Adding this competency into your talent strategy is going to be the difference in your candidate experience.
Beyond a Transactional Relationship
In the initial phases of talent acquisition, stewardship can be seamlessly integrated. It has a place in personalized communication, fair evaluation processes, and genuine engagement during interviews. It’s a beautiful feeling when you can come back to your #2 candidate and get them placed in another position. You’ve built massive rapport with this person you’ve given constructive feedback to and kept tabs on their motivations. These touchpoints leave the door ajar for future openings.
What about the hundreds of candidates that just sit in our talent pools? Even though the ending result isn't a job, you can still provide them with valuable help through their job search. I see this type of trust building when talent teams work closely with their corporate social responsibility groups and bring them closer to the hiring decision-makers. Remember, this is a two-way street, and no one likes someone who doesn't reciprocate.
Higher Chances of Candidate Conversion
Stewardship plays a pivotal role in candidate retention throughout the recruitment process by fostering a sense of trust, transparency, and continuous support. When candidates experience proactive and genuine engagement, coupled with clear communication about the process, they are more likely to remain committed to the journey, even in the face of challenges or delays. Stewardship ensures that candidates feel valued and understood, creating a positive candidate experience that contributes to long-term retention.
Moreover, stewardship expedites the candidate conversion process by building a strong foundation of rapport and connection. When candidates sense that their needs and concerns are genuinely addressed, and when they experience fairness and respect at every stage, the conversion from potential candidate to enthusiastic team member becomes smoother and faster. Stewardship instills confidence in candidates about the organization's commitment to their well-being, making them more inclined to embrace opportunities and expedite their decision-making process. In essence, it accelerates the conversion process by creating an environment where candidates feel not just welcomed but actively nurtured throughout their journey with the organization.
I’m confident in saying stewardship is the lifeblood of a successful talent acquisition strategy, and its absence can be a silent assassin, lethally undermining your efforts to attract and retain top-tier candidates. This vision is not just aspirational; it's achievable through the strategic integration of stewardship into your talent acquisition process. With stewardship as the compass, top-tier candidates will not only be attracted but retained, converting swiftly into enthusiastic team members.
What challenges or successes have you experienced in building lasting connections with candidates? Let's continue this conversation in the comments—share your thoughts on donor level stewardship in recruitment.