Potential Applicants
Applicants will be contacting the agency to obtain further information about the vacancy and from the information they receive, will be deciding if they are interested in the job.
Questions
- What is the role of the contact person?
- Has the contact person been provided with all the relevant information and are they accessible?
- What do I say if an applicant asks if someone is acting in the job?
What is the role of the contact officer?
The role of the contact officer is to provide potential applicants with clear and objective information about the job. As good applicants are in short supply, the contact officer needs to promote the benefits of the job to attract the right person. This includes your business, location, fringe benefits, training and opportunities for career development. The best applicants want a job that satisfies their needs, not just financial compensation.
Has the contact person been provided with all the relevant information and are they accessible?
Many vacancies are advertised nominating a contact person who is either never available due to work commitments or who proceeds on leave.
The contact officer should be someone who has knowledge of the job and most importantly they MUST be available during the time the vacancy is being advertised. It is frustrating for applicants if they cannot make contact with the officer to gain extra information or to clarify the role of the job. Potential applicants use this information to decide if they are interested in and suitable for the job.
Good applicants can be lost at this stage if they cannot obtain relevant information.
What do I say if an applicant asks if someone is acting in the job?
The contact officer should not advise prospective applicants that someone is 'lined up' for the job. Although someone may be acting in the job this does not mean they will be the best person for the job. It would be premature to assume the selection outcome and limit the potential field of applicants.