Arranging interviews

Agreeing Timescales
Work out when you need to have a new recruit start and work backwards.

It takes at least 8 weeks to source candidates through advertising due to:
- Agreeing when and where to advertise
- Writing the copy
- Gaining sign-off from relevant personnel
- Agency creatives
- Placing the advertisement with the relevant publication, ensuring positioning
- Awaiting applications
- Screening interesting CV’s
- Arranging to meet relevant candidates
- Shortlisting and selling the role to the best candidates
- Organising for them to meet the client.

Candidates will normally have between 4 weeks and 12 weeks notice to serve before joining their next company and, if made to work their notice, may want to take a holiday before beginning their new role.

Plan Ahead!
Recruitment campaigns are doomed to failure if they are disorganised. Companies will not promote themselves in the best light, deadlines will not be met and the best candidates will be lured away by a company who has impressed them.

The most successful campaigns are those which have a timescale drawn up from the beginning. Work with your dedicated consultant to determine a realistic and agreed schedule for each assignment to follow to ensure that they are concluded on time.

Booking first and final interviews with senior company executives and decision makers from the commencement of the assignment will encourage progress to keep pace - it is easier to cancel or postpone these arrangements than to hold onto a handful of elite candidates whilst the decision-maker returns from holiday!

The impact of a company making a quick decision about them is often flattering and a large emotive element in the candidate’s decision-making process.

Maps, etc.
If you can provide corporate brochures and information, then do so for the candidate to prepare for the interview. It is a two way process and the best candidates will need to be sold to.

On-line versions of these, along with websites are extremely useful to candidates via www.multimap.co.uk

Placement UK can provide maps to candidates for all interview destinations, but online corporate versions for head office locations are always welcome.