It’s no news to any of you who recruit for a living that time kills all deals. We all know it. It is the mantra for recruiters. Why is it then that we still spend so much time explaining this concept and reiterating it to hiring managers?

Chances are, if you are really interested in that candidate, so is someone else. And at the end of the day, it’s usually going to be the player who moves the fastest to hire the person. As the candidate’s main point of contact to you, it is a challenge to “keep them warm” with little to no feedback and no real indication of next steps. If they receive another offer, often times, they simply must take the sure thing even if your agency is first choice.

Granted, most times, this is not the issue with the HR professional we’re working with. I know from working with you that you are pulling your hair out just as we are to get some feedback or movement on a candidate.

My strategy is a crazy concept called honesty. If my Account Director has another interview next week with someone else, I will tell you that. It’s not meant to be an ultimatum. I want you to have all the information you need. If time is an issue, I will let you know. And I will try to be very specific regarding how much time we have. If s/he has concerns about the specific account or about your agency, I’ll let you know that as well so it can be covered up front. Time is a-wastin’ so let’s get on with it already.

On the flip side, I would hope that you see value in this crazy Honesty idea as well. If everyone loved the guy except one woman and you’re trying to get her to come around, let me know that. I can get the guy to write a killer letter to her that would alleviate any concerns she might have. If everyone is out of town and you won’t know until next week, let’s see if we can get some folks on the phone or get creative in some other ways.

If the two of us work together as a team towards the same goaland are upfront with one another, we can make this happen. And make it happen quickly.