8y
Whilst we aim to please all candidates in the interview process this one proved pretty tricky. As per all candidates the individual had a structured Skype interview and was fully briefed on the company and opportunity and given the opportunity to ask questions with as much time on the call with me as I had with them. Of the apportioned half hour after my interview the candidate used less than 4 minutes with their questions to me about the company explaining that I had answered their questions in the brief I had provided.
On response from the client a telephone interview was set up for an inside sales position. When the candidate was asked about their passion on this client call they discussed having a passion for programming from the age of nine years old. The client fed back their disappointment that the candidate wasn't talking about a passion for sales in their answer.
Despite having asked the candidate to test their link for business Skype there were some challenges commencing the call on time.
The initial call with the client lasted only nine minutes because they fed back that the candidate was speaking so quickly that they couldn't understand them. Afterwards we discussed the candidate and I explained that they had interviewed really well with me and should be given a second chance. The client asked me to re-brief the candidate with a BDM and the original position and provide feedback on where they may have been going wrong in their initial interview.
Having difficulties getting hold of the candidate over the phone I forwarded both briefs so they could consider setting up another call. At this point the candidate approached the client directly with their references and a new copy of their CV aiming to circumvent the recruiter. The client (who I have a six year relationship with and have placed a lot of candidates with to build up from 4 to 35 people, including both the hiring managers in the recruitment chain) again asked me to pick up with them and to check in that they were definitely right for the role.
I attempted once more to engage with this candidate and they again responded directly to the client. At this point the client asked me to decline them based on a lack of etiquette and professionalism within the recruitment process which was duly delivered via email as the candidate wasn't picking up calls.
We have broad shoulders and accept that there can be delays in the recruitment process for all manner of reasons but we have always maintained a professional image in the market and are very disappointed to receive such a negative review.
On a personal note we wish the candidate the best in their search and had they worked with us I believe that they may well have been placed with the client and working with them now.