How do you react when you and your client disagree on the quality of a candidate?

How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

There will be times when you think you've hit the jackpot and found the best candidate possible. You excitedly present the candidate to your client and whomp whomp...they don't feel the magic in return. The interviewer would like to know how you would handle a situation like that. Rather than becoming upset, sulky, or disappointed, show that you pick yourself up, realign client expectations, and keep going!

"This type of scenario can be especially challenging when working on a contingent fee structure because we want to fill the role quickly and earn our fee. Sometimes clients need to be reminded of what the marketplace is offering, based on the salary they are willing to pay. If a client disagrees with the quality of my candidate, I am sure to remove any emotion from the equation and come back to them with facts and results from data analysis and benchmarking. When a client can compare scenario A, B, and C, they are much more likely to make an educated decision and see your position more clearly."

"I know that not every client will see what I see in a candidate. Rather than focusing on a hard 'no,' I will ask the client to tell me specifically what they felt the candidate was missing. Their response may be a trainable skill or attribute or something that I did not uncover in my candidate, allowing me to go back and dig deeper with that person rather than eliminate them from the competition. It's important never to take rejection personally. I am a problem solver so when a client and I disagree on the quality of a candidate; I want to know the hard facts versus the feelings behind their decision."

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How to Answer: How do you react when you and your client disagree on the quality of a candidate?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Executive Recruiter job interview.

3. How do you react when you and your client disagree on the quality of a candidate?

How to Answer

There will be times when you think you've hit the jackpot and found the best candidate possible. You excitedly present the candidate to your client and whomp whomp...they don't feel the magic in return. The interviewer would like to know how you would handle a situation like that. Rather than becoming upset, sulky, or disappointed, show that you pick yourself up, realign client expectations, and keep going!

1st Answer Example

"This type of scenario can be especially challenging when working on a contingent fee structure because we want to fill the role quickly and earn our fee. Sometimes clients need to be reminded of what the marketplace is offering, based on the salary they are willing to pay. If a client disagrees with the quality of my candidate, I am sure to remove any emotion from the equation and come back to them with facts and results from data analysis and benchmarking. When a client can compare scenario A, B, and C, they are much more likely to make an educated decision and see your position more clearly."

2nd Answer Example

"I know that not every client will see what I see in a candidate. Rather than focusing on a hard 'no,' I will ask the client to tell me specifically what they felt the candidate was missing. Their response may be a trainable skill or attribute or something that I did not uncover in my candidate, allowing me to go back and dig deeper with that person rather than eliminate them from the competition. It's important never to take rejection personally. I am a problem solver so when a client and I disagree on the quality of a candidate; I want to know the hard facts versus the feelings behind their decision."

Next Question