Preventing The Runaway Candidate

Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating the final costs associated with the "runaway bride". Much like the runaway bride, the "runaway candidate" can have a devastating effect upon a potential employer. In today's competitive market for top candidates, most employers consider a candidate "onboard" once they have accepted the job and signed their offer letter. I would counter we're not at the finish line, or "honeymoon", just yet.

Lurking the in darkness, is the dreaded "fall-off" and counter offer. A "fall off" occurs when the candidate has accepted a position and then decides to stay at their current employer or take another competitive position without warning or notice. The counter offer occurs when the candidate proceeds to resign and is financially induced to stay with their current employer. Either way, the potential employer loses in the end as a once promising addition to your team makes the wrong decision.

The client employer can protect their investment in the recruitment process by following these steps during the "transition" period between offer acceptance and start date:

1. Make personal contact with the candidate: As the hiring manager, you can count of your HR department to take care of all the paperwork and assorted material necessary to the new hire process. You are responsible for the non-tangible events in the new hire process. By this time, you should have no hesitation in simply lifting the phone and calling the candidate to "check in" and make certain things are going well. In the event a direct contact is not possible by phone, send a personal email to the candidate and establish direct communication.

2. Set out an agenda/plan for the "first day": Candidates are naturally apprehensive about starting at a new job. Try to diffuse this apprehension by verbally telling the candidate what to expect on the first day of work. Explain that you will be there to assist them in the transition and introductions to other members of the team. If at all possible, schedule an introductory lunch with team or department members during the first week to break the ice.

3. Leave the door open for any questions: Again, please remember this is a transition period for the candidate. They are going for the "known" to the "unknown". Let them know they can come to you with any questions or concerns prior to the first day. Make certain they understand your door, or at the very least, your telephone or email is always open to answer any question or concerns.

A few moments creating a welcoming atmosphere and climate will go a long way in the recruiting process and help prevent "fall off's" and counter offer situations. As the hiring manager, you have invested in the recruiting process of finding and securing the right candidate. Now, make it all the way to the finish line.

Executive recruiter William Werksman is a frequent columnist to job boards including http://www.NevadaJobBoard.com addressing both the candidate's and employer's perspective. Werksman's expertise has been featured in business magazines, national newspapers and television news segments. His firm, Resource Partners, is recognized as the leading source of specialized and executive talent in the Casino and Gaming industry. He manages a staff of recruiters out of his firm's Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. He may be reached at: Bill@CareerInsider.com or (702)248-1028.

---

Career Change: A Glittering Invitation To The Emotional Stalkers

As much as you are yearning for career-change, and as... Read More

What Me? Lie On My Resume? Who Will Know?

The temptation to lie on a resume is great! How... Read More

Is A Career a Calling or Choice?

How much of our career path is destiny and how... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in the Job Search

Most everyone these days knows what a comfort zone is.... Read More

Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want

Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More

Tips For Surviving As A Corporate Refugee

In her book "Are You A Corporate Refugee", Ruth Luban... Read More

Writing Resumes That Attract Your Perfect Job

Let me introduce you to Ben. He made it happenBen... Read More

Thank-You Notes: An Integral Part of Your Career Design

There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More

Protect Your Business by Performing a Background Check

The success of a business endeavor involves a concerted efforts... Read More

Is Your Job Search Guided by the Controller or the Controllee?

I'll define what I mean by these terms. "The Controller"... Read More

F-E-A-R in the Job Search!

Fear in starting a job search is a four letter... Read More

The Importance of Background Verification

Today's society has created an environment that requires business owners... Read More

Self-Knowledge: The Key To Finding The Right Career Direction

Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end... Read More

Federal Job Search Strategies: 7 Tips to Help You Succeed

Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign... Read More

Finding a Career in Harmony with Your Life Path

Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More

How to Transform a Boring Note Into A Killer Cover Letter - Part II

In Part I, we covered how to grab the reader's... Read More

Petite Modeling: What Should You Wear to Your First modeling Photo Shoot?

If you're looking into making the petite modeling industry your... Read More

Why Become A Truck Driver?

There are a great number of good reasons for someone... Read More

Hospital Staff at Great Risk of Attack and Injury Whilst at Work

There are millions of people working extremely hard every day... Read More

Get That Job: Mastering Job Interviews

I've heard it said?in fact, it might well have been... Read More

Job Interviews: Ill File a Grievance!

I recently went to a retirement party with my husband... Read More

Work Attitude Ethics For Progress

This "fruit for thought" article is for all human beings,... Read More

The Night Worker

In the process of musing about our perennially awake world... Read More

Job Interviews: Six Steps to Acing a Telephone Interview

Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's... Read More

Nine Career Zappers

Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success.... Read More