Rejecting a Job Applicant > What Not to Do
In our previous post, we discussed in detail the correct way to handle applicant rejections. In a world where information and reputations are so easily available, protecting your business and upholding the highest level of professionalism is not only lucrative, it gives you competitive edge. In this article, we’ll cover the wrong way to go about candidate rejection. Depending on how far the applicant went with the placing process with your client, different behaviors are required. Before reading on, secure your firm with a Staffing Agency Insurance Program and consider the following tips.
Put it gently.
The last thing an applicant wants to hear is that they’ve been rejected. For this reason, put it lightly. Be sure to let them know that you and/or the employer will keep their resume on file for future positions (if it’s true!). Otherwise, thank them for their resume and application.
Don’t forget tact.
As we mentioned in our previous post, tact is important when you reject someone. According to The Balance, here are two major factors to consider:
- You may reject applicants using an email up until they have come into your company for a job interview. After an interview, you must call the applicant. Never reject the candidate by email, text message, voice mail, or IM. You owe the candidate the courtesy of a call even if you follow up the call with a rejection letter.
- Make sure the applicant cannot misconstrue the words you use or find evidence of unlawful discrimination. For example, you may be tempted to tell the applicant that you have decided that you have candidates who are more qualified for the job. The candidate could well ask you to detail the differences. Why go there?
- Don’t be hasty when responding to critique requests from an applicant. Depending on your language and what you say was the reason for going in a different direction can get your agency involved in a lawsuit.
- As a rule of thumb, if you’ve had any interaction with the applicant, you owe them a response. A simple acknowledgement that you went with someone else is better than leaving them hanging indefinitely.
About World Wide
For the last 50 years, World Wide Specialty Programs has dedicated itself to providing the optimal products and solutions for the staffing industry. As the only insurance firm to be an ASA commercial liability partner, we are committed to that partnership and committed to using our knowledge of the industry to provide staffing firms with the best possible coverage. For more information about Staffing Professional Liability Insurance or any other coverage we have available to protect your staffing business, give us a call at (800) 245-9653 to speak with one of our representatives.