Dynamic Happenings

Is Your Future Employee Playing Hard to Get?

When you have an opening at your office, you know exactly who you’re looking for, but do they know they’re looking for you?

Searching for the right job candidate can be a lot like dating: the hard to get prospect may be more appealing than the one actively on the prowl. Known as “passive” candidates, these gainfully employed individuals will often entertain opportunities for career advancement.

According to the Undercover Recruiter, 79% of working professionals around the world are considered passive candidates. Even more telling are the differences between active and passive candidates.

Compared to active talent, passive talent is:
• 120% more likely to want to make an impact.
• 56% more likely to want a corporate culture that fits their personality.
• 33% more likely to want challenging work.
• 17% less likely to need skill development opportunities.
• 21% less likely to need recognition for their contributions.

So what does this mean for your recruiting efforts?
In order improve you chances of attracting passive talent, you’ll need to employ an alternative approach to recruiting – one that’s highly targeted and more personal than you’d typically use when connecting with active candidates.

4 Tips for recruiting passive talent:
#1 Make the conversation more about them and less about you. Encourage the prospect to talk about themselves and direct the conversation to identify their motivating factors and needs.
#2 Make it personal. Rather than casting a wide net and having to sift through heaps of unqualified talent, target your recruiting efforts and spend more time cultivating the relationships that matter.
#3 Put your best foot forward. Focus on impact opportunities over day-to-day minutia. Top passive candidates are big picture people.
#4 Be engaging. Making a connection is a two-way street and if you want the prospect to consider making a career change, you must make a lasting impression. Be real, be honest and be yourself.

Get even more strategic when recruiting today’s hard to get talent and partner with the experts at Dynamic.