If time "kills deals", what does it do for your hiring?

In today's fast-paced world, time can often be the deciding factor. Whether it's a limited-time offer or an expiring discount ‘that day.’ It can be the difference between bagging a brilliant deal on a new iPhone or gym membership discount, or losing out. And funnily enough, time is also crucial when it comes to recruitment.

Have you ever experienced the disappointment of being outbid on eBay for an item you truly desired, despite feeling confident in your chances?

The timing of your bid could have been a crucial factor - should you have bid higher, sooner; or waited before showing your intentions?

With numerous variables in play, the emotional attachment to that 'prized possession' you missed out on can be big.

Now, imagine a similar scenario with that standout candidate slipping away due to timing.

We’re all only human, after all

Okay so we must accept that while there are numerous variables in play during the hiring process - some are within our control and others are not, such as:

  • an unexpected illness affecting key decision-makers.
  • budget restrictions.
  • personal commitments hindering progress.

But, when all the pieces do fall into place, why wait?

It's crucial to understand that top-tier candidates, whether actively seeking roles or passively considering options, are engaged in multiple conversations all at the same time.

The ultimate killers happen when they receive an offer from another organisation while they ‘wait to hear back.’

Candidates are only human, like everyone else, they have financial obligations and may anticipate alternative offers, potentially accepting a different opportunity sooner, even if it doesn't offer a higher salary or better benefits.

We are sometimes asked whether we secured them a position elsewhere.

The unequivocal answer is NO. We passionately believe in being true partners, and that is the foundation of our model.

I recently had a senior Membership Head mention to me:

"You're only hurrying the process because you want to receive payment."

Well, yes and no!

As a business co-owner, I have incredible team members who rely on timely payments to sustain their lifestyles, so yes, getting paid is beneficial - but it's not the sole motivation!

With over 20 years of experience in recruitment within the membership sector, I understand that time can silently hinder progress - and if we can prevent it, we should do so at all costs (pardon the pun).

Most importantly though, in a competitive candidate market, prevarication too often means that you lose out on the most talented, best fitting applicants.

United we stand and fall

Just the other day, a senior HR advisor questioned my rationale!

"Why not offer a discount instead of a rebate?"

The answer is simple - for us, recruitment involves shared responsibility in a genuine partnership sense.

We are not suppliers - we are advisors, deliverers, and mentors, striving for the best possible outcome for all parties involved - candidate, client, and ourselves.

And if something goes awry? We acknowledge our share of the responsibility, as one would in any partnership, and offer a rebate accordingly.

Therefore, please understand that advancing the recruitment process is not about 'sales tactics' to secure payment.

It is about being a trusted partner, steering a smooth workflow that, based on our experience, can be jeopardised by delays or obstacles, potentially leading to a disappointing outcome for everyone.

Only by working together and both investing time into the relationship can we build our ability to effectively advocate for the client, and get behind the veneer of an applicant's CV to establish a long-term fit.

So, what are you waiting for?

 

At Membership Bespoke, we have extensive experience with how membership organisations are structuring their staffing to meet the challenges ahead. Discover more about our expertise.