Here’s the truth: finding a job is just like dating. When you’re looking for your next great partner, it’s important to keep your options open. Naturally, you’ll line up a few first dates with potential suitors. The same goes for finding a job. Chances are you’ll meet with a few recruiters and assess your options. 

Now, while it’s a dating faux pas to tell your suitors that you’ve got three other dates that week, transparency can help you in the recruitment process. We know that our candidates are chatting to various recruiters and we understand that finding your dream job takes persistence. That said, there are a few key things to consider when playing the ‘recruiting field’. To help you navigate the process, we’ve outlined a few tips below. 

1. Be honest: We understand that it feels unnatural to tell someone that you’re seeing other people but we encourage you to be honest. Transparency is always the best policy because it helps us manage the process and, ultimately, achieve the best outcome for you. 

2. Be open with your progress: Now, don’t get us wrong – you don’t need to give us all of the details. But if you don’t tell us which stage you’re at in the hiring process, it can be problematic. There’s nothing worse than going back to a client and saying that their preferred candidate has already shacked up with someone else. 

3. Manage your timeline: If we know that a candidate is interviewing for various roles, we can use that information with our clients. For example, if we know that a candidate is very interested in a role but is looking at others and wants to move quickly, we can tell our clients that there’s a sense of urgency. The same applies if a client is looking to hire urgently. As recruiters, it’s our job to make the process as seamless as possible and that means working with prescribed timelines. 

Above all, being transparent and honest about your timeline will help to get you your desired outcome.