For both job candidates and hiring managers, timing is of the essence. If you are hiring, you are likely anxious to fill a vacant position to ensure that your company’s productivity isn’t jeopardized. After all, with SHRM reporting that it takes an average of 41 days for hiring managers to fill a position, it is likely that your team will be down a member for over a month. Although top candidates spend considerably less time searching (SHRM reports 10 days on average), they are also anxious to accept an offer and move forward as quickly as possible so that their bank accounts don’t suffer long term effects.

While the end goal is the same for both parties, there are often roadblocks on either side of the hiring process that can prevent a seamless transition once a job offer has been extended. Knowing that prolonging the process can burn professional bridges, it is necessary to predict and prevent any foreseeable roadblocks.

The following are just a few general roadblocks that you may encounter, and how to prevent them for a successful closure to the hiring process for both job seekers and hiring managers.

Roadblocks for Job Seekers

  1. Not knowing your worth.

As a savvy job seeker, you should be able to negotiate any job offer with the confidence of knowing what you are worth as a candidate. Use online resources like Glassdoor to reaffirm your worth and give you a leg up in the negotiation process. Although this shouldn’t even need to be mentioned, if you know that your skills and experience aren’t up to par with other professionals in your field, don’t ask for the top of the range. Being too greedy, without the education and experience to back up your counter offer, tends to leave potential employers with a negative view of you. 

  • Blowing past the job description.

Did you thoroughly read the job description before you applied and interviewed? If you didn’t, do so as soon as possible. Taking the extra time to read through the description thoroughly and evaluate it with a critical eye can impact the amount of time that you spend negotiating pay and benefits. Knowledge of what the company is prepared to pay and the benefits that they are willing to offer will make the process of accepting much easier.  

  • Being unclear about your non-negotiables.

Every candidate has a set of non-negotiables that will make or break the chances of accepting a job offer. Knowing what yours are and being upfront about them will help hiring managers decide if they are able to provide you with the job opportunity that you are looking for. The less confusion and the more communication between parties, the faster the process will conclude and lead to a successful and mutually beneficial professional relationship.

Roadblocks for Hiring Managers

  1. Not knowing your candidate’s worth.

The top talent in your field will know their worth and will counter any offer that comes in below industry standard. If you are not sure what industry standard is- do your research before extending an offer. Offering a fair wage and a competitive benefits package will be better received by prospective employees and can prevent a drawn out negotiation period. In this market, it is wise to resist the urge to offer the lower end of the range as they may move on to other opportunities.

  • A poorly crafted job description.

Include accurate and adequate details in your job description to ensure that candidates know what to expect when you extend a job offer. Details should not only cover job expectations and requirements, it should also give candidates a preview of the wage and benefits that your company is prepared to extend. It may help to mention any fringe benefits as well to sweeten the deal, so to speak.

  • Placating candidates.

It can be easy to placate candidates when they mention what they want; however, consider that these “wants” may in fact be non-negotiables that a job offer will hinge on. Rather than nodding your head in agreement or giving any confirmation (verbal or written), make sure that you know what you are actually able to offer. Also, find out what their non-negotiables are. Some of those “wants” may be just that, and will not factor into their final decision.

At the end of the day, it is important to remember that both sides have the same goal in mind. Through preparation and communication it is possible to prevent roadblocks from lengthening an already lengthy process.