Finding a job is a worrying time for any candidate. Sometimes, recruiters and hiring managers lose sight of the personal turmoil that some of these candidates are experiencing. Even the best candidates can get left behind or trampled on in the stampede. Insufficient candidate care can damage a recruiter’s reputation and certainly harm an employer’s brand. Maybe it is worth reminding ourselves of their cries for help?

I have come up with a few “postcards” that candidates would love to send, but never have the courage. Thoughts running around in their heads, over and over again….

Dear Invisible Man, I know you’re busy, and I hate to bother you. I’d appreciate it if you could let me know that you have received my CV? I’m not sure what you think about it - I’d love a few lines of guidance if at all possible. Am I on the right track? Do you think that there are roles out there for me? Yours sincerely, CC

Dear Mysterious Girl, I haven’t heard from you for a while. You said that I was a good fit and that the hiring managers liked me, but things have gone quiet. I know that not everything is under your control, but I would appreciate you letting me know the situation. I have other offers, and I will be forced to accept one if things don’t become clearer. Yours sincerely, CC

Dear Mr Positive, The interview was great, I loved meeting you and was very excited by all the opportunities that you talked about. I haven’t talked with any other recruiters as you suggested, but you have not as yet secured any interviews for me. I understand that the situation may not be as rosy as you had hoped, but would just like to know where I stand. Yours sincerely, CC

Dear ATS system, I hope that you will be flexible enough to recognize that my career is not made up of keywords. I have a personality, I have the right attitude, I know what it takes to succeed. If you could pass this postcard on to the recruiter and ask them to cast a “human” eye over my CV, I’d be ever so grateful. Yours sincerely, CC

Dear Mr Elusive, You asked me to call you back, but you never seem to return my calls. I have left three messages with your secretary over the past week, but there seems to be some sort of black hole. I don’t like to keep calling, but I don’t see what other choice I have. Please get back to me if you get a minute. Yours sincerely, CC

Keeping candidates engaged in the process is so important. Let them know that you have received their CV. Keep them updated on progress. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver. Judge people on personality, not keywords. Take their calls or call back as soon as possible.

They could be future colleagues or clients. Please treat them with the basic human dignity that they deserve.