With every financial director in the land keeping a vigilant eye on expenditure, headcount restrictions come as no surprise. But as some budgets are unfortunately retracted mid-recruitment, the knock-on effect to employers’ reputations and their ability to attract top HR talent can be noticeable.
Up to one in four HR vacancies is now being cancelled after steps have been taken to find the right professional for the job, leaving the stakeholders involved in the recruitment process in an awkward position.
According to Employer branding essentials, a Badenoch & Clark guide, “while a jobseeker’s first impression of your organisation will determine their immediate interest in you, this judgement will keep changing.” But it doesn’t necessarily follow that your reputation, relationships or employer brand need suffer.
The decision to curtail the recruitment of a role is never taken lightly
The decision to curtail the recruitment of a role is never taken lightly by employers, especially for roles closed late in the recruitment process since these are often the most sensitive to communicate.
Though aspiring candidates may have had their hopes dashed, a professional recruitment partner should be able to explain the situation sympathetically and help manage expectations on both sides sensitively.
Private sector companies have been most affected, as their financial priorities have fluctuated while they decide their business strategies. Arguably these are the brands with the most at stake, as their reputations tend to be more transient than the public sector’s.
Though the commercial reasons for putting roles on hold are rarely foreseen, employers should try to set recruitment commitments in stone from the outset with all the internal stakeholders that might have a bearing on them in the future, and raise concerns with their recruitment partner early on to manage the situation most effectively.
