Senior Candidate Toolkit

Last week I mentioned the concept of a candidate toolkit. Basically I see this as a resource that recruitment professionals prepare specifically for jobseekers. Some (like Spencer Group and Allen Associates) put this online whilst others create an actual pack to give out.  In it's most basic form it could consist of some tips on CV preparation and an interview survival guide with the aim of ensuring that the candidate you put before your client doesn't look like a muppet.

However, some of the search firms produce something more comprehensive which they can give to senior candidates who they can't necessarily place right now but who they want to keep sweet.  The example I've recently seen consisted of articles on preparing a CV, interview preparation and techniques and utilising your network.  It had lists of the top search firms in the world, outplacement companies, interim recruiters and job boards.  What I especially liked was that they'd gone to the effort of sourcing and including two relevant books.  One on how to "Transform your Life" and the other "How to be headhunted" (I'm also going to suggest they look at including "The Definitive Job Book" which I blogged about last week).

Creating and utilising something like this can help your brand. It doesn't need to be as comprehensive, or as costly, as the example above.  However, it does need to be of the highest quality.  It will serve to differentiate you from the competition, candidates will remember you for all the right reasons (even if you don't place them) and you'll be doing a good deed for each jobseeker you share your toolkit with.