Hiring Managers Versus Aretha Franklin Who Has Respect

-link">But the hiring manager can’t even walk down
a clear hallway, in a perfectly air conditioned building,
For those too young to know who Aretha Franklin is,in casual business attire to meet the candidate
she was one of the top recording artists in theon-time. This is NOT respect for all the candidate
60’s and 70’s. One of her all time bestwent through.
selling records (i.e. CD, iTunes, digital recording, etc. inSimple question, “How long would you keep a
today’s world) was a song called,multi-million dollar customer waiting in the lobby?” I
“RESPECT.”bet they would get your respect.
All Aretha wanted was, ” to give me just a little,Candidate’s desire your respect as much as
just a little, R. E. S. P. E. C. T. when I come home.”you desire theirs. If you want to hire top talent,
(Author’s comment, I think it was this songrespecting them from the first impression is
that taught most kids in the 60’s how to spellabsolutely critical.
“respect.”) All most candidates want is, “toIs your culture one that respects everyone? Is this
give me just a little, just a little, R. E .S. P. E.C. T.respect practiced by everyone? Does everyone
when I come in for an interview.”know, “how to” show the proper respect for
Not a big request, considering it’s “just aanyone visiting your facilities? Does everyone treat
little” respect, not a lot.candidates the way they want to be treated if they
Here is one simple example of, “just a little”were the candidate? (CLICK HERE to get a free
respect.cultural assessment)
I have asked thousands of candidates in over 25Granted, in today’s market conditions, the
years of recruiting, ‘How long did you wait in thecandidates are more flexible. However, when the
lobby before the hiring manager came to greetmarket changes to what it was two years ago
you?” The average is between 10 and 15 minutescandidates will walk out.
late. That is not respect.Respect should not be related to the economy.
Think about it for just a minute. The candidate leavesConsider bringing, “just a little, just a little
work early, drives for sometimes up to an hour,R.E.S.P.E.C.T” to all candidates when they come in.
often in snow or rain, fights traffic, gets all dressedRetention of top talent is a critical issue for most
up and makes sure they arrive on-time. After all,companies. Top talent only have two choices, they
what happens if the candidate is even a minute late?either work for your company or your
Now that is RESPECT for the hiring manager andcompetitor’s.
their time.