We were recently asked during one of our discovery calls, “What is Loop’s philosophy on candidate experience?” This can be a tricky question because the impulse is always to differentiate when answering something like this, but the truth is that most highly regarded search firms are doing many of the same things: practicing competence, professionalism, and consistency in the way they treat the candidates they interact with.
That said, we do think there are a few ways in which our philosophy is a bit different.
One of our core aspirations is to serve as an antidote to one of the most persistent frustrations in our 21st-century economy: the broken job search process. We all know that talented and qualified people regularly submit applications into a void and never hear another word. Companies struggle to identify the best talent, candidates struggle to find the right opportunity, communication eventually breaks down, and everyone trusts each other a little less. When we chose the name Loop, we envisioned something different. The idea of getting in the Loop was about closing those gaps in communication and creating a complete circle of feedback and dialogue between candidates, clients, and recruiters.
Another point of differentiation is really a question of degree. Many recruiting firms talk about providing a “white glove” experience, and we certainly aspire to that standard of professionalism. But we also believe the best recruiting relationships go a step further. You can receive incredible service at a five-star hotel without ever developing a relationship with the hotel manager. Recruiting is different. Career decisions are deeply personal, and trust matters. The best recruiter-candidate relationships exist somewhere between outstanding professional service and genuine friendship. Candidates trust us with some of the biggest decisions of their careers, and we take that responsibility seriously.
The practical result of this philosophy is that our relationship with a candidate doesn’t necessarily end when a search concludes. We often stay in touch in the months and years that follow, celebrating promotions, hearing about growing families, grabbing a drink when we’re in the same city, and continuing to serve as a trusted career resource whenever we can. Of course, not every interaction develops into a lasting relationship, and there are certainly times when we fall short of our own standards. But the big picture goal has always been to build the kind of trust that endures well beyond a single search.
Like most search firms, we keep a long list of metrics to evaluate our own performance when it comes to managing candidate experience. From time to time, however, we have the incredibly rewarding experience of hearing directly from candidates that we got it right and that they are grateful for the way we work. We continue to take their word for it and welcome countless more into the ever expanding Loop.