Reducing no call/no shows from candidates: Part 1 of 2

In my years as a recruiter, I've had my fair share of last minute cancellations and no shows. Although I haven't found the solution to 100% eliminate this problem, I've learned there are a few simple things you can do to try and minimize the issue.

Think about creating an engaging process with more personal touches prior to the interview.

#1) When scheduling an interview, let the candidate know why you are interested in speaking with them. Ex: "I see you've had success building sales strategies, processes, and playbooks for global sales teams - I would love to learn more about this." This makes it more personal and gives them an idea of what to dive into more detail about in the interview.

#2) Instead of reaching out via email to schedule the interview, give the candidate a quick phone call to introduce yourself and set up that first step. This doesn't have to take more than 5-10 minutes and gives you the opportunity to have a casual chat to get to know each other a bit prior.

#3) Send a quick message the morning of the interview to let them know you're looking forward to connecting and/or perhaps sending any additional information about the role and company that might be beneficial.

By taking small steps to engage with the candidate beforehand, you're much more likely to get them excited about the opportunity to connect, and less likely to have them cancel last minute or opt not to attend.

#4) And most importantly, work with a stellar recruiting firm that can help you create a more engaging interview process.

Reach out to me if you're looking to collaborate with a sales and marketing-focused recruiting firm in 2023!

Amy Schwartz is a Recruiting Manager at SalesFirst Recruiting and can be reached at amy@salesfirstrecruiting.com.