A.R. Mazzotta - Connecticut Employment Specialists

These days, with a greater number of candidates vying for the same openings in your company, you may find yourself having to say “No” more often.  Needless to say, writing rejection letters can be an unpleasant and stressful part of the hiring process.

But even when you can’t offer a job applicant the position, it is important to end the interview process on a positive note.  Here are some quick tips for writing candidate rejection letters in a constructive way, to build good will with candidates and position your company as an employer of choice:

• Send out the rejection letter promptly.  If you’re certain you will not be hiring the individual, let him know that he was not selected as soon as possible.  Even when the news is bad, your timely follow-up will convey a high level of professionalism.
• Always use formal company letterhead for a rejection letter and never handwrite it.
• Address your candidate by name.  Further customize the letter with the position for which he applied, as well as a supportive comment about the applicant’s qualifications, experience or enthusiasm.  Although a rejection letter is basically a form letter, your candidate shouldn’t feel as though it is.
• Be direct, but gracious.  Make it clear that there were other candidates more qualified for the job, but do so in a respectful way.
• When appropriate, encourage further action.  If the candidate is a good culture fit, and may be qualified for other openings with your company, say so.  Encourage him to stay in touch and apply again.
• Always end on a positive note.  Thank the candidate for applying and interviewing.  Wish him good luck in his career development.  Remember, this may be the final impression this individual has of your company – make sure it’s a favorable one.
• Close the letter formally with “Sincerely,” or “Best wishes,” and sign your name.

Don’t want to write rejection letters?

Call A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists, a leading Connecticut staffing firm, with your direct placement needs.  We’ll handle every step of the process – from recruiting to testing and initial interviews – and only present you with the most qualified candidates.  If you decide not to hire an individual we refer, just let us know and we’ll take care of the rest.

Learn more about the benefits of A.R. Mazzotta’s direct placement services.

Have you ever paid attention to car manufacturers’ ads?  They show you models that are loaded with extras and then entice you with prices that seem too good to be true – and they usually are.  Because what those numbers in bold print don’t include are all the fees, taxes and options that can literally double your true costs.

It’s the same with hiring.  While you may be tempted to estimate your cost-per-hire based solely on advertising expenses, this figure is only a small part of your true costs.  For a more accurate appraisal, consider the following factors:

HR Time

• Developing job descriptions
• Preparing and placing / posting ads
• Reviewing résumés
• Telephone screening candidates
• HR interviewing
• Conducting assessments and skills testing
• Performing drug tests and reference checks
• Processing paperwork

Other Costs

• Cost of advertising (classifieds, job boards, other online posting)
• Legal costs
• Management interview time
• Opportunity costs (time HR and hiring managers could be spending on other productive activities)
• Costs of vacancy in the position
• Costs of a bad hire (all the costs involved with replacing a new hire who doesn’t work out)

The Value of Recruiting Services
When it comes to direct hires, staffing firms offer tremendous advantages to employers.  The staffing service assumes the vast majority of the hiring costs and only charges a fee when and if you hire a candidate they provide.  Direct placement services provide the following benefits:

• Fixed costs of hiring
• Minimal disruption to the organization and no loss of focus
• Dedicated, experienced recruiting specialists who can accurately identify the best candidates
• Ability to directly recruit top candidates (even those who work for your competitors)
• Access to the staffing firm’s extensive candidate database, as well as regional and national recruiting networks
• Satisfaction guarantees

A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists – A Better Way to Hire
Hiring on your own can be an expensive, time-consuming and frustrating process.  So why do it on your own?  Contact A.R. Mazzotta today.  Our dedicated recruitment specialists will make your next hire a success – guaranteed.

“I’m sorry, but all I can do is verify this person’s name, title and dates of employment.”

Sound familiar?

These days, getting an honest and reliable reference can be a real challenge.  HR is cautious.  Supervisors are too busy.  And often, the references a candidate has provided are afraid or unwilling to give honest feedback.  So how can you improve the results of your next reference check?

Beyond the standard length of employment/position/job responsibilities questions, here are a few unexpected ones you can try asking.  Designed to start conversations, these open-ended questions may entice a reference to “drop his guard,” and help you solicit more candid feedback:

1. Did the candidate ask your permission to be a reference for him?
2. What was his greatest strength?  Weakness?
3. What circumstances frustrated him the most?
4. How well did the candidate manage time?  Pressure?  Crises?
5. What did he learn during his time with your company?
6. If you could give him a single career suggestion, what would it be?
7. What was his biggest accomplishment while working for your company?
8. Would you rehire this person?  Why or why not?
9. Is there anything else I haven’t asked that you would like to share with me?

Thankfully, you don’t need to ask questions like these when you work with A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists.  You can rest assured that every candidate we refer has been carefully screened, tested and reference-checked for you.  To learn more about the measures we take to ensure candidate quality, please visit our website.