What methods do you use to gauge an applicant’s soft skills?

What techniques do you employ to assess an applicant’s soft skills? I recently came across a post criticizing the notion that recruiters and hiring managers only care about whether candidates can perform the specific tasks outlined in the job description. This is clearly not the case; soft skills—like effective communication, self-discipline, and teamwork—are crucial for identifying the right candidate for a position. How do you go about evaluating whether your applicants possess these skills adequately to meet the requirements of the client or role?

All in one software with Application Tracking System and managing outreached pipeline

Subject: Seeking Recommendations for ATS Software with Sourcing Capabilities

Hello everyone,

I’m in the process of selecting our company’s first Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and would appreciate your insights.

A bit of context: we’re a Paris-based company focusing on attracting talent from prestigious firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, alongside recruiting for technical and sales positions.

Here are my challenges:
– Currently, I manually gather CVs from five different job boards, screen each application, and then download them to upload to Airtable (which functions similarly to Excel in the cloud). I also manually send out screening tests and schedule interviews, which has led to human errors, occasionally resulting in the rejection of suitable candidates.
– I actively source passive candidates on LinkedIn, and I often find it difficult to keep track of my outreach efforts using Excel.

I’m convinced there’s a comprehensive solution that combines both ATS and sourcing capabilities. As our team grows from 30 to 55 people next year, it’s essential that we find the right tool. So far, I’ve spoken with Ashby, Workable, Manatal, and Lever (though the rep from Lever didn’t seem interested in doing a demo since we’re a smaller company).

If you have any additional recommendations, I would be very grateful for your help. Thank you!

Curious About the Challenges in Recruitment

Exploring Recruitment Challenges

Hello everyone,

As I navigate my job search, I find myself intrigued by the recruitment process from your perspective. I frequently come across various complaints and concerns in this space, but I haven’t grasped the full picture behind them.

From my limited viewpoint, it seems like finding a suitable candidate should be straightforward, especially with so many applicants vying for the same role. Yet, I know that’s not the reality. I would love to gain insights into the reasons behind these challenges.

Thank you for your time, and best of luck with your recruitment efforts!

New to the industry, tips on BD?

Tips for Business Development: Seeking Your Success Stories

As a newcomer to the industry, I’m eager to learn from your experiences! I’ve had over 11 years in fast-paced sales and am currently in my third month of business development. What strategies have you found effective in securing new business? I would love to hear about your successes and any tips you might have. Thank you!

messed up an application

I made a mistake on my application! I just submitted an application to Centrica for an apprenticeship role, but I accidentally left out my highest qualifications, which are my high school standard grades from my Scottish exams.

Now I’m unsure about the best course of action. Should I:

1) Leave it as is and hope for the best, explaining that while I didn’t perform well in school, I have gained valuable experience in my admin roles over the years?

2) Reach out to them and provide an explanation?

3) Submit a new application using a different email, while keeping the rest of the information the same?

Also, I’m currently studying at college and working on a Level 1 SVQ in a relevant subject, which I would have to present if I am successful. Any advice would be appreciated!

Direct Hire Agency Startup – Questions (CAD/US)

Starting a Direct Hire Agency – Questions about U.S. Market

Hello everyone,

I’m in the process of launching my own direct hire agency in Canada. With around 7-8 years in professional staffing, I have a strong grasp of the industry. I’m also familiar with the new licensing regulations coming into effect in Canada for 2023/2024.

For now, I plan to focus exclusively on direct hire placements and not on temporary or contract work until I reach between $500k to $1M in revenue. It’s a big goal, but I’m optimistic about the direction. After a couple of years, I’ll look into options for capital loans, grants, and more.

I’m reaching out to the community for resources or advice on navigating direct hire placements in the U.S. Is the process as straightforward as it is in Canada? Typically, it involves a master search agreement where the client handles the offer, with some negotiation on fees—usually over a 30, 60, or 90-day period.

I understand that in the U.S., healthcare roles require compliance with HIPAA, but my focus is on back office IT and technology positions, along with some go-to-market roles.

Any insights or links to helpful resources would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 😊

Best CRM in UK for recruitment business!

Looking for the Best CRM for Recruitment Agencies in the UK!

I know this question has been asked numerous times, but I’m curious about the top CRM options for recruitment agencies in 2024. I’m looking for a system that is user-friendly and excels at CV searches, boasts excellent AI integration, and makes it easy to send emails to clients, leads, and candidates. It should also have capabilities for managing payroll and timesheets.

Additionally, it would be great if the CRM can provide financial data for both management and recruiters to help them monitor their pipeline, billings, and interviews.

I would appreciate any recommendations. I’ve come across Jobadder, Vincere, Bullhorn, RecruitCRM, Recruit Flow, Loxo, Gem, Zoho, and Manatal.

Breaking into Talent acquisition in 2025, how?

Navigating a Career Transition in Talent Acquisition (2025)

Hello everyone,

I have nearly a decade of experience in Talent Acquisition, with a focus on Clinical Research, IT, and Data. My career has primarily been based in India and the APAC region, particularly the Philippines, Australia, and Singapore. Since relocating to London in late 2022, I’ve been actively seeking employment throughout 2024. I’ve submitted my CV on platforms like Indeed, Reed, and Hays, and have applied for numerous positions in Talent Acquisition.

Despite my efforts, I haven’t successfully landed a role yet, and I’ve had limited interview opportunities, with no positive outcomes thus far.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on what additional steps I could take. How can I encourage agencies to connect with potential employers on my behalf? Additionally, I’ve heard suggestions about visiting offices in person; could this be an effective approach, and if so, why?

Thank you for your insights!

UK agencies, what’s your tech stack?

Attention UK agencies! What technology do you use?

My partner and I are considering launching our own agency, bringing together 20 years of recruitment experience from both in-house and agency roles.

Having been away from the agency landscape for a few years (currently using Bullhorn in-house, which isn’t great), I’m researching the best tech stack to adopt.

I’ve observed that many of the popular software options tend to be US-focused, with some only available for payment in dollars instead of pounds.

To my fellow UK recruiters, what tools are absolutely essential for your operations? I would greatly appreciate your insights!

How much do you spend on 3rd Party Job Boards?

How much are you spending on third-party job boards?

I’ve created a construction job board that’s currently seeing an application every minute and is outperforming both Indeed and ZipRecruiter while collaborating with two staffing firms.

If you have positions that aren’t primarily sourced from LinkedIn, such as light industrial roles, I’d love to chat! I’d be happy to offer you a free 30-day trial of my job board so you can see how it fits your niche.

I’m also in the process of expanding to two additional niches, using the same technology. Ideally, I’m looking to partner with agencies that spend over $10,000 a month on Indeed, establishing my board as the primary source for a select few agencies in each niche, but at a much lower cost.

Send me a direct message with your job roles and locations, and let’s explore the possibilities!

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!