Relationship-Centric Recruiting: The Key to Winning Top Talent in a Competitive Market

By Shane Shown, CEO of Nxt Level

I watched Bridgerton on Netflix recently, and winning top talent in a competitive market has so many similarities to that show. It’s like being the belle of the ball but ending up without a date: you’ve waltzed through the process, charmed top talent, and made your choice — only for them to call the whole thing off. Or, even more heartbreaking, they say yes, only to walk back on it later. You’re left scrambling for a second fiddle or rehashing the same exhausting recruitment dance.

Relationship-building, my friends, is your golden ticket to sidestep this calamity. Think of it as courting rather than headhunting: engage, empathize, and establish rapport throughout the process. Who knows, your ‘perfect candidate’ could turn into your ‘perfect hire’!

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Companies can be a bit like shy teens at their first dance, fearful of looking too eager. They tiptoe around the candidate’s final choice, scared that too much pressure might lead to later issues with commitment and performance.

And so, the candidates are left alone, to traverse the rocky path of decision-making. The companies, often, assume that all the breadcrumbs have been laid out perfectly during the interview process, and there’s nothing left to be done or said. Final negotiations are outsourced to HR or external recruiters, leaving…