Over the last couple of years, we’ve written more than 40 blogs that that cover the topic of interviewing. While there is much research available on this topic, some of the best ideas and insights have come from our readers. Today, I’d like to share another one these insights.
Al Mirabelli is the Broker in Charge of the Prudential
Carolinas Lake Norman Office. His office
is located in Huntersville, North Carolina.
A couple of weeks ago, a candidate that had recently interviewed in Al’s
office sent their company’s recruiting coordinator the following email:
“Yesterday’s meeting was great. From the time I walked in (amazing the effect of seeing your own name with balloons) till the time I left, I could see why Prudential Carolinas Reality would be a great place to work and a good fit for me. I have a few offers on the table right now. Prudential feels like the best fit for me. I would just need a day or to to go over finances to make sure it would be possible right now.”
This peaked my interest. What did the candidate mean when he said, “amazing the effect of seeing your own name with balloons?”
Al provided some background later that week,
“At the entrance foyer of the lobby to my office I have a small [whiteboard easel] that welcomes candidates and other visitors to my office. During the day of this candidate’s interview, we happen to be welcoming a local group of builders to our office who are partnering with some of our agents and attached some balloons to the whiteboard. It was such a hit that they ended up taking a picture on their way out. They later said they were very flattered that we would do such a thing.”
Apparently, the candidate was flattered as well and made a point of mentioning it to the recruiting coordinator during a follow-up call.
Who knew that such a simple thing would have such a great
impact? I must admit, that I was even a
little skeptical when I heard this story.
Maybe this candidate was just overstating their feelings in the initial
email.
But, then I received this email a week later from Prudential Carolina’s recruiting coordinator:
“I thank you very much for allowing me to meet Al. He definitely has passion for the business, which drew me in. He was wonderful and the entire workforce was very courteous.
They even had my name on a white board upon entry that said "Welcome [Candidate’s Name]." It was great! I plan on working at Prudential and learning the skills necessary so that I can be extremely successful in the field. So with my ambitious nature and all the information that Al provided to me, I will be successful.”
[Note: I removed/blurred the candidate’s names in the emails and pictures because we did not get their permission to share their identity]
Al and his staff are onto something—don’t you think? I believe that Al has figured out how to tap a basic human need—the need for acknowledgment.
I recently read that acknowledgement lets people know that you have truly seen them. It communicates we have taken the time to pay attention, to notice, and to speak out loud what they contribute, what they accomplish, and some of who they are at their best.
Al—great job on figuring this out and applying it to your interview process! I hope others will try this as well.
Question: Do you have interviewing techniques that you’ve found helpful. If so, share them with us, and we’ll publish your ideas.
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Editor's Note: This article was written by Ben Hess. Ben is the Founding Partner and Managing Director of Tidemark, Inc. and a regular contributor to WorkPuzzle.
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