As a hiring manager, you may think you hold all the cards when it comes to recruiting. However, as leading headhunters in Northern California, Pacific ExecSearch knows if you want to hire the best executive talent, there are some steps you could be taking that are scaring away top candidates. What are they – and how can you avoid them in the future? Here’s a look:

Poorly written job ads.

If your job ad focuses solely on communicating what a candidate must have –and not selling the potential applicant on the job – then you’re falling short. So don’t focus entirely on the “essential requirements” talk and instead focus more on why the best candidates should want to work for you.

Cumbersome application process.

Do you know how many people start the application process and then drop out? If it’s a high percentage rate, then there’s your problem. The best people in the field want to spend their time and effort in a two-way conversation with a potential employer; not hours filling out a mind-numbing online application. In order to attract the best talent, you need to lay out a friendlier welcome mat.

Bad communication.

How do you communicate with candidates once they apply for the job? Do they receive a form email? Do they hear nothing at all unless you want to schedule an interview with them? If it’s either of the later, those are your barriers to top talent. Instead, communicate with candidates like a real person, not a robotic form letter. And make sure if you promise you’ll get back to someone with a decision, you actually do it.

Complex interview process.

Most executive level talent know they will have to go through two or three interviews before getting an offer. But if the process is too complex or confusing, chances are it’s going to turn off a lot of potential candidates.

Insufficient compensation.

If you want to snag the top talent out there, then you need to offer generous compensation, plain and simple. When you find someone who’s truly excellent and are only able to offer them what they’ve been earning before, then they’re going to look elsewhere for opportunities. Top talent expect top compensation.

When it comes to hiring the exceptional people, the first impression counts. Make sure yours is the best and aims to not only attract top talent, but recruit them as well.

Do you need help hiring executive level candidates? Call Pacific ExecSearch. As leading headhunters in Northern California, our team of recruiters has extensive experience in sourcing, evaluating and helping companies hire and retain mission critical professionals for top positions. To learn more about how we can help your organization, please contact us today.