JobSync

Recruit Candidates Through Enchantment

December 6, 2011

With a growing number of highly qualified jobseekers looking for more meaning and fulfillment in their next job, hiring managers must provide candidates more compelling and sophisticated reasons for wanting to work at their company.

Earlier this year, bestselling author and venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki discussed ways for companies to enchant their employees in a piece from the Harvard Business Review that is relevant for hiring managers as well. In Kawasaki’s eyes, enchantment forges a “deep, delightful, and long-lasting” relationship. And “if you can enchant your employees, they will work harder, longer, and smarter for you — and, ideally, you for them, too.”

Just as companies can enchant employees, hiring managers can similarly enchant candidates to come and work for their companies by incorporating Kawasaki’s suggestions. These include:

1. Assuring candidates they will have an opportunity to master new skills while working autonomously towards a high purpose at your company.

2. Letting candidates know they will be empowered and trusted to do the right thing if they are hired for the job.

3. Conveying to candidates that they will not be judged more harshly than you will judge yourself.

4. Informing candidates that you also will do the dirty, difficult, and demanding jobs your company demands.

5. Asserting to candidates that a company’s successes will be celebrated.

6. Telling a candidate that “We want you” during the interview process. After all, who doesn’t want to be wanted?

7. Recognizing the limit of money in job satisfaction and reassuring candidates that your company provides a meaningful environment where candidates will believe in the product or service.

By enchanting candidates in the recruitment process today, you can enchant them as employees in your company tomorrow.

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