Recruiting with Care: Leading Practices for Candidate Engagement

By: Sarah Gaines

Years ago, my husband launched a job search that might take us anywhere. Our girls were just 1 and 3, and I swore we’d only consider warm climates — no snow boots, no mitten tantrums, just sunshine.

So you can say I was reluctant when he got an offer in Michigan, a state where we had never been and had no family.

His would-be employer encouraged us to consider it anyway and I ended up spending a weekend just "checking it out." We were welcomed with a tour of the community, a dinner with an amazing host family, and personalized conversations, outreach, and encouragment.

We said yes. And we spent six amazing years in Michigan.

I never loved the cold, but I loved the community. It was the right move for us personally and professionally. And we would not have known it without that extra touch.

Last week, a client asked me how to “seal the deal” with candidates. They were attracting applicants and running a good process, but candidates weren’t saying yes — often because relocation felt daunting.

I’m reminded that you’re not just recruiting a candidate — you’re helping a whole person (often a whole family) imagine a life in a new place. They’re wondering: Where will my spouse work? Which schools are best for my kids? Where will I walk my dog?

At JUNE, we partner closely with clients to answer these questions and highlight not just the job, but the life that comes with it.

And for organizations running their own searches, we’ve created this guide to help you engage candidates in a way that more often leads to “yes!”

We'll update this guide as we hear more tips and suggestions as well.