This is one definition of Communication that I found online:
‘the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium’
To me this is partly true as I believe communication goes much further. It’s the process of giving, receiving and processing information between individuals, or from one individual to a group. It’s the interaction of ‘talking’ and ‘listening’, not only to what is being said but also how it’s being said. This will determine whether the message that Person A tries to convey is perceived as such by Person B (and visa versa).
Communication is very important in any business context, and this is especially true in recruitment. This is not only when a recruiter and candidate are communicating during a phone call, Skype meeting and/or interview, but it is a crucial aspect during the recruitment process.
At M18 Executive Search we consider communication key in all steps that we take, from establishment of first contact with a prospect to the post-placement follow-up or post-rejection review.
We believe that the following communication steps are key:
| Action | Communication type |
| Receive a clear briefing from the hiring company | Listen, ask questions |
| Translate into a written document (job description), a synthesis of what our client is looking for | Write, ask for confirmation or adaptations |
| Contact candidates, introduce ourselves and check their status and aspirations | Talk, ask questions and listen |
| Follow-up interested candidates | Ask feedback, listen and talk |
| Check CVs with our client | Talk, ask feedback |
| Provide clients with regular updates | Write and talk/explain |
| Interview the candidates | Ask questions, listen, write, synthesize |
| Share interview experience and our vision on the candidate with client | Write and talk, ask for feedback, listen/read |
| Call candidate and client after each interview and/or test | Talk briefly, then listen |
I can go on for hours trying to complete this list. Recruitment is a process of continuous clear communication. Check whether your counterpart has understood you correctly, ask the right questions and make sure that you understand their answers. And last but not least:
Make sure to have a two-way ongoing communicate to keep the momentum!
