Welcome back to our deep dive into the art of conducting effective intake meetings. In the first part of our series, we covered the fundamentals of pre-search and the initial intake meeting. Today, we’re focusing on the crucial outcomes and follow-up steps that will ensure your intake meetings set the stage for successful hiring.

Key Takeaways from the Intake Meeting

In this video, Shally Steckerl provides invaluable insights on the key takeaways from an intake meeting. Here’s a summary of the essential elements discussed:

1. Composite Candidate Profile:

• Develop a clear idea of what the ideal candidate looks like.
• Identify key attributes that define the ideal profile, to be discussed in detail in future tips.

2. Pre-Qualification Questions:

• Establish knockout questions to quickly determine if a candidate is worth considering.
• Collaborate with the hiring manager to create these questions.

3. Validated Keywords:

• Confirm a list of keywords such as competitors, job titles, technologies, etc.
• Distinguish between must-have and nice-to-have keywords.
• An absolute must-have keyword should be a non-negotiable element on the candidate's resume.

4. Industry Terms and Buzzwords:

• Gather industry-specific jargon and buzzwords that will help in identifying suitable candidates.

5. Interview Panel Information:

• Obtain the names of the interview panel members, which can provide insight into the candidate profile.

6. Job Challenges:

• Understand why the job has been challenging to fill in the past.
• Discuss potential challenges with the hiring manager.

7. Hiring Commitment:

• Ensure the hiring manager confirms that they are ready to hire if the ideal candidate is presented.
• Revisit and validate requirements if the hiring manager is not ready to commit.

Confirming the Ideal Candidate Profile

Following the intake meeting, it’s crucial to solidify the understanding with the hiring manager. Here’s how to effectively confirm the ideal candidate profile:

1. Send a Summary:

• Send a detailed summary of the intake meeting to the hiring manager, either virtually or in person.
• This summary should include all discussed points and seek confirmation.

2. Ideal Candidate Profile Details:

• Years of Relevant Experience: Not just any experience, but specific relevant experience.
• Industry Experience: If required.
• Education or Certification: Clearly distinguish between required and desired qualifications.
• Critical Must-Have Skills: Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves.
• Target Companies and Geographic Locations: If relevant.
• Job Titles: If appropriate.
• Successful Sources: Identify reliable sources for potential candidates.
• Keyword Analysis: Based on pre-qualification and research.

3. Confirmation

• After sending the summary, request confirmation from the hiring manager.
• Ensure that both parties are aligned on the candidate profile and hiring criteria.

By meticulously documenting and confirming these details, you set the stage for a successful hiring process. A well-executed intake meeting, followed by a thorough confirmation, aligns expectations and paves the way for finding the ideal candidate.

Stay tuned for more tips and insights in our next newsletter!