There is no question that interview ‘no shows’ can be extremely frustrating, especially after receiving the enthusiastic RSVP from the candidate in question and spending so much of your valuable time to get to that stage.
If there is any reassuring news to this experience of exasperation, it is that you are not navigating it alone!
Recruitment surveys reveal a growing trend where one in ten UK professionals confess to not turning up to scheduled interviews! This disruptive pattern is a headache for hiring managers across many industries, the good news is that many instances can be prevented.
Candidates skip interviews for many reasons, primarily because they
- may have another job offer.
- decide the job is not for them.
- or have simply changed their mind in seeking a new job.
So why is it that so many people find it perfectly acceptable to confirm their attendance of an interview and then not turn up ?
While it’s tempting to point fingers at the candidate, surprising as it may be, you can play a role in averting such scenarios by implementing some straightforward actions.
Here are Red Careers Top 5 tips to ‘no-show prevention’.
- Hold off booking interviews straight away – many candidates scatter their CV’s, often forgetting what they have applied for and who with. Consider screening them first with a telephone call.
- Ensure genuine interested – communicate and gauge your candidate interest by sending them information and links to your website to do their own research. Resist the urge to chase and let them come back to you.
- Communication – establish multiple engagement touchpoints prior to interview, leaving nothing to chance. Provide clear direction of what to expect, where to go, who to meet.
- Offer Flexible interview schedule – Acknowledge that committed candidates may still be employed elsewhere. Flexibility with interview times and video calls will make it easier.
- Partner with a recruitment ally – work with a recruitment partner who has a thorough process – let them handle the no show potentials before the interview stage, putting in the additional steps required, freeing your valuable time !
At Red Careers we take pride in our effective no-show prevention strategies, backed with robust processes. Over the last 4 years we have encountered only 2 instances of no shows out of the numerous interviews we’ve facilitated. If we sense a lack of commitment from a candidate, we proactively remove them from the process.
Connect with us and let’s build your team with confidence ! enquiries@redcareers.co.uk
Article by Lorraine Jackson – Recruitment Executive
