It’s decided, you need to move on to the recruitment phase in the coming days. Advertisements published via the media, the business manager awaits the arrival of applications. Without having to be asked, interested parties refine their CV and hope to get a call as soon as possible. And you, as a manager, must sort between relevant applications and those that are not. When it comes to responding to applications received, the situation quickly becomes tricky. Focus on the reasons why we must respond to the applications received!
“Politeness costs little and buys everything. » — Michel de Montaigne
If a candidate sent you their application, it’s for a good reason. The latter wishes to join your company and collaborate. When the latter receives no response from you, they ask themselves countless questions: did they receive my CV? Are my qualities and skills not enough? Should I wait any longer?
In any case, whether the application arrived spontaneously or following an announcement, the least we can do is provide a response. Not only does this behavior constitute a form of politeness that each of us should develop, but it also allows candidates to have a better state of mind. Moreover, they will not be the only ones to benefit, because this approach allows you to gain notoriety.
The power of the canvas
With the prominence of social media and professional platforms, candidates can easily follow you and give their opinion on any subject. In the case of open positions, the candidate you leave unanswered in doubt will undoubtedly give you a poor rating. Published on your Facebook page, on X (formerly Twitter) or on business rating sites, this review will be readable by thousands of people around the world.
We should therefore have the decency to respond to applicants – whether the answer is positive or negative. You will have understood, by responding to applications, you mark yourselfz points. What’s more, you will convey a respectable image of your company and this already gives an overview to applicants.ts — if they ever manage to join your team. By taking the time to respond, you earn respect of your candidates.
Lapidary answers, a lack of fair play
It turns out that some companies are attacking the problem in different ways. They respond to candidates, but most of the time the response is just one line and has been anticipated even before broadcasting the recruitment announcement. For example : “If you have not been contacted by our company within X weeks, you can consider your application as unsuccessful. »
This type of response demonstrates that the company had already planned its move and this can be seen as a form of diversion – something unforgivable for the image of a company.e. By telling your “future” employees that there is a chance that they will not be contacteds, you give a bad image of yourself and your company. In the end, the anticipated response is just as frowned upon than a lack of response.
Above all, respond with respect
The same goes for those who, after analyzing an applicant’s application, respond with a simple sentence of rejection: “Unfortunately, your qualifications do not match what we are looking for”. It is essential to keep in mind that candidaYou generally take a significant part of your time to respond to your ad and properly present your application.
Between writing the cover letter, updating the curriculum vitae and other steps, don’t forget that the applicant still has a hint of hope. If he is interested in your ad or your business, it is because he wants to be part of it. It is therefore appropriate to be kind enough to explain to them, in the event of rejection of an application, the precise reasons for this decision. The candidate undoubtedly deserves consideration on your part.
To do this, carry out a real analysis of your file
- Identify your strengths and areas for improvement: Include a short paragraph in the letter or email to explain what exactly your company is currently looking for. By clarifying these few points, you are sure to convey a good image to the candidate and those around them.
Some companies even take the time to advise the applicant on areas for improvement. or the areas which could undoubtedly interest him. It is true that this action requires time and that it is difficult to predict for a company. However, it is necessary and provides various advantages, particularly regarding your company’s employer brand. Receiving an application rejection letter is not easy, but receiving a rejection letter accompanied by explanations and advice is suddenly much less difficult.
And there you have it, managers or HR managers, you now know why it is important to respond to applications. Not only will you build a good reputation, but you will become “the company that responds to candidates”. Unfortunately, many companies do not yet take the time to do this. Most of the time, applicants remain uncertain and doubt their abilities. As a business leader, you have the power to make a difference. You simply need to be interested in the candidates and try to put yourself in their place.
