Do perfect candidates exist

#ASKHR: DO PERFECT CANDIDATES EXIST?

#AskHR is an initiative started by Applicant Tracking System, where we reach out to Talent Acquisition professionals and discuss with them about the most burning issues of recruitment world.

This time, the debate is about – “Do Perfect Candidates Exist?” We asked about the parameters HRs take in consideration to define someone as Perfect Candidate. And most importantly is it worth waiting for a perfect candidate in the hiring process. Here is what they have to say:

1. May be we are looking in wrong place “According to me the perfect candidate is the one who is passionate towards work and willing to learn at every stage of professional life” Good to go for next best candidate: It is very rare to get a perfect candidate at very early stage of hiring process. In today‟s time, most of the candidates are attracted towards good earnings, standard work time, suitable working environment, which mostly is available in MNCs. So may be we are looking in a wrong place. Instead of waiting for too long, going for the next best candidate is viable for any business.

– Priya Sahwney, Marketing Manager at 2 Ace Solutions

2. Make a benchmark to define the capability “A perfect candidate should have the following – good education background, good communication skills, consistent, team player, technologically strong, open for learning new technologies and diversify if required.”

It is more difficult to find one:

Its not easy to get a perfect candidate but if you got one then it is totally worth waiting for that candidate. Because when you start looking for the second best candidate you won‟t find it easily as you keep the first candidate as the bench-mark, this will make recruitment very difficult.

– Dinesh Mahindra, Recruitment Head at JJ Placements & Consultants

3. One should keep looking “A perfect candidate is one who most closely matches the required skill set, someone who is keen to join the company, has the passion to learn and is open towards accepting changes” Wait is worth: Getting a perfect candidate easily is something that doesn‟t happen in reality. But yes we continue looking for the best match to avoid the risk of attrition in future.

– Aarati Upadhyaya, Manager – Corporate HR at Systems Plus Pvt. Ltd.

4. Networking can connect best candidates “A perfect candidate is one who understands the requirements, has shown a track record of fulfilling them in the past or who has the obvious potential to do so through previous indicators of their ability. This is a candidate that understands the clients’ environment and how they can fit into it to add value.”

Perfect Candidates are a mark of quality to our clients: If you understand your market, the client, the role requirements, the culture of your client company, your candidates in your network, and if you are a great and constant networker, I believe you can find the right candidate early, yes.

We want the best candidates in the first batch, in order to be successful. Without providing a quality service and product – your reputation will suffer as well as the prospects for future business.

– Tracy-Le Fisher, Managing Director at Boolean Recruitment

5. Do not go with predefined parameters

“In truth, there are probably plenty of candidates out there that could succeed in the role, even if they don’t fit every single one of your requirements. In my opinion employers should not stick to some parameters before going for hiring process.”

Wait will affect the business: Vacancies can go unfilled for months or even years when companies insist on looking for that „perfect‟ candidate.

This can be dangerous for the business as both time and money is wasted on advertising and interviewing for the position. Employers can go out with perfect recruitment strategy, but on the job training sessions is what plays a major supportive role in converting a new hire into a perfect employee.

– Abhishek Malepati, IT RECRUITER at Poonam IT Consulting Services (P) Ltd Some good parameters are suggested by HRs to define someone as perfect candidate. Although there is a mix of response from HRs and business owners about the possibility of meeting such candidates early in recruitment process and whether it is worth to wait for one or hire the next best available. But for sure, it is a gamble to wait and delay the start of the business.

Applicant Tracking System leaves this discussion still open. If you are also willing to contribute, visit our Facebook Forum or drop your comments.