Have you ever searched for your (sun)glasses until you found out you were wearing them on top of your head all along? That’s how I felt when I started using WhatsApp for sourcing.
Email is the main communication channel for almost anyone that works in an office. And while you have a full-time job processing all you work mail, your private email address fills up too.
This is exactly the reason why, when I really need a colleague or friend to get my message quickly, I don’t mail. And surprise surprise, I don’t call either. I text. Or better yet: I use WhatsApp. People don’t lose sleep over unread or unanswered mail. But there’s something about the push-notifications for text messages that trigger instant replies.
So why have so much sourcers, including myself, been ignoring WhatsApp for years? Deemed unprofessional? Only for teenagers? My results beg to differ. WhatsApp is simple, effective, and brilliant.
In my current assignment, I usually get asked to help out with requisition that have been open for too long and now really really need candidates, quickly. My go to strategy for urgent requisition is the companies’ ATS (Thanks Glenn Cathey for opening my eyes on Sourcecon Atanta in 2014).
After having found strong profiles of individuals that in the past showed interest in working for the company, I used to mail them. And the waiting game began.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m horrible at the waiting when there’s time pressure to fill requisitions. And calling wasn’t very effective as well, many persons don’t answer their phone when an unknown (and in my case foreign) number calls them. I’m not even going to elaborate on voicemail.
In a desperate attempt, along came WhatsApp. And the results were great.
Whatsapp is brilliant in these scenarios for several reasons:
And yes, I’ve also used Whatsapp for approaching very experienced candidates. Heck, I’ve just hired a VP using Whatsapp. Don’t let conservative minds keep you from using the technology of today.