Years ago before debit card usage became the norm, writing checks for goods and services was commonplace. A friend of mine went to her neighborhood grocery store, bought the items she needed, and patiently stood in the checkout line. When the clerk told her how much money she owed, she pulled out her checkbook and fished around in her pocket for a writing implement. Hand clasped upon a cylindrical object, she drew it out of her pocket and went to fill out her check… until she realized the object she held in her hand was not a pen, but a tampon. She looked up at the clerk, red-faced and half-smiling, looked back at the tampon in her hand, shook it a little and said, “Damn thing won’t write!”

Using the correct tool to communicate with candidates, clients, vendors, and everybody in-between is of the utmost importance in today’s fast-moving employment environment. “Fast-moving employment environment” you ask incredulously? Yep. Today’s quality candidates are being snapped up by employers who have streamlined their hiring processes in order to beat their competition to the best new-hires. As recruiters, it is imperative that we are utilizing the most efficient means to stay in contact with our candidates.

Referring to a previous blog of mine (Sometimes It’s The Little Things), asking this question up front can make the difference between winning and losing: what is the most efficient and expedient means of communicating with you during the day? Is it best if I call you? Email you? Text you? You guide me. Your wish is my command. Candidates should take advantage of this question and my 100% offer of compliance because I don’t offer that type of compliance in any other venue of my life!

Ask the questions up-front, get an answer, utilize the method, streamline and modify as necessary. Keep in contact with your candidate or client, make that placement, build an excellent team, and never never suffer a loss because you used an incorrect communication tool.