Phone calls and email are the most common ways of communication between recruiters and candidates. Have you ever found yourself wondering whether or not you should call or email? They both have pros and cons, but ultimately, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. There are appropriate situations for both forms of communication. Let’s go over some of them now.
Initial Contact
When contacting a candidate for the first time, either email or a phone call will suffice. Ultimately, which method you choose to use depends on the amount of time and number of candidates you’re considering for the role. For example, let’s say you’re recruiting for a very specific and niche role. You probably don’t receive as many applicants for this kind of role compared to one that’s fairly common. In this case, it’s best to call the candidate to establish the personal connection as soon as you can.
On the other side of the coin, a more commonplace role that’s more frequently filled is bound to have a lot more potential candidates. While there’s nothing wrong with emailing each person and telling them the next steps in the process, it can be more time consuming if each email is tailor-made for each candidate. Calling instead of emailing also increases the chance you’ll receive follow-up phone calls. Depending on your workload, this can be a good or bad thing.
Why Calling is Better
It may sound unbelievable in 2020, but you’ll be surprised how many people don’t frequently check their email. You may have a candidate that’s absolutely enthusiastic about being chosen for the job, but never see any follow-up emails. There can be a lot of different reasons for this. Maybe they receive lots of emails and yours got lost in the shuffle. Or maybe your email became an unfortunate victim of the spam filter. This is the risk you take with using email as the primary form of communication.
A phone call can allow you to get a better understanding of the candidate. Their resume and credentials may look great on paper, but their phone etiquette could tell a completely different story. The opposite could also be true. This is an impression that you can only get through a phone or video call.
Why Email is Better
When you email candidates, you have an opportunity to get all your instructions, facts and information straight before passing it on. Having a virtual paper trail is great for both you and the candidate to recall anything that talked about previously. Emailing is also a great way to follow-up on questions a candidate may have that requires more time for you to research. Overall, email produces a less time-sensitive interaction, but it also reduces tension as well.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Now that you’ve seen the advantages and disadvantages of calling vs. emailing, it’s time for you to tailor it to your workflow. Your individual personality can also affect how natural and effective each method is for you. Give them both a shot and see which fits you best.