Top tips for improving your RecruitRank score

Wondering how to improve your RecruitRank score? First, let us remind you how it all works.

Each time a candidate applies for a vacancy on Jobsite, they receive a RecruitRank email inviting them to leave feedback on their experience of working with the recruitment agency. Applicants are asked to evaluate their experience in the following four areas:

• Overall impression of the agency
• Maintaining contact and updating you on progress
• Understanding your needs
• Knowledge of your industry sector

Here are our top tips for success in improving your RecruitRank score. We've put together 5 simple tips, with advice from recruitment agencies that candidates have voted as offering great customer service.

1. Respond to each application, even if the applicant isn't suitable - it only takes a minute.

A lack of response from an agency can lead to poor feedback regarding a candidate's overall impression of an agency. No one likes to feel that they're being ignored, so take a minute to email or call. If a personal reply to each candidate isn't possible, then a polite standardised response outlining your policy is generally well received. At least it allows the candidate to know that their application has been acknowledged by you.

"I reply to everyone that I receive a communication from. I get some excellent feedback from my candidates who may, in the future, pass on my details to someone they know who is looking for a career change… they may just call me."
Tony Duff, Exectec Solutions

2. Stay in touch regularly during the application process, even if you haven't any news

Maintaining contact with applicants is crucial: 58% of Jobsite job hunters say so. Even if you don't hear back from your own clients, always try and keep your applicants updated with any news. Communicating with them via phone or email will also let them know that you're still working for them.

"It's our policy to respond to every CV we receive, honestly, giving our candidates an indication of how often they can expect to hear from us and we stick to it."
Kathryn Gallen, Managing Director, 2nd City Resourcing

3. Remember to treat applicants and clients as equals

It can be all too easy to concentrate on the client. After all, they're paying aren't they? But try putting yourself in the candidates' shoes. They need someone to talk to for advice and ideas. Most of all they want to be kept updated with everything that's going on (whether good news or bad). Remember, good customer care is free. It just takes a little bit of time.

"We always treat candidates as clients, it's our general ethos and it really is that simple."
Sally Emmett, Partner, Cranleigh Recruitment Solutions

4. Listen to applicants and gain understanding of their needs

21% of Jobsite candidates believe that having their needs understood by a recruitment agency is the most crucial thing in having a good job hunting experience. Taking a few minutes to find out exactly what your candidates want can save you a lot of time in the long run.

"… We make the time to speak to them, qualify their needs and look at how we can both work with them now and in the future."
Chris Smith, Operations Director, e-CRM People

5. Demonstrate your industry knowledge when communicating with applicants

12% of Jobsite candidates would rate a recruitment agency highly, and would be more likely to use them again, if they had good industry knowledge. Ensure that you're au fait with all industry jargon and news. Also think of all the information the candidate will want to know about a role and ensure that you get this from the client in advance.

"Knowing about the role itself and knowing about the industry is part of my job, and offering all that as a package is essential."
Tony Duff, Exectec Solutions

Using RecruitRank feedback to make changes to your business can be extremely beneficial. It will improve your RecruitRank score and could perhaps enable you to win an Award or appear in our online top 10. This provides vital third party endorsement that attracts employers and candidates alike. After all, an agency that can prove its track record with candidates will be attractive to everyone.

"We secured a brand new client along with many candidate referrals as a result of our top ranking at the launch of RecruitRank. The tool is already starting to be recognised by jobseekers and employers alike so anyone that can use the RecruitRank Award logo is bound to reap the rewards."
Sally Emmett, Partner, Cranleigh Recruitment Solutions