Pre-closing a candidate before delivering an offer is crucial to avoid surprises and ensure they’re ready to accept when you deliver the offer later. Follow this structured approach:
👋 How are things since we last spoke?
🔄 Any further updates on anything?
❓Anything changed since we last spoke? (key if they have other processes not through you)
🤔 How are you feeling about the opportunity? (SILENCE)
💭 Any further thoughts? (SILENCE)
🎯 How does this role align with what you said you are looking?
“I’m going to be speaking to {client} in 2 hours and I am expecting to discuss a possible offer. Is there anything (subject to seeing the paper work) that would hold you back from accepting if they come back with an offer?”
💰 “I don’t know what the offer will be exactly, but we have been discussing something between [£45,000] and [£50,000] as your range. We know from other offers to those with similar experience, it is most likely they will come in at the [£45,000] mark.
What will you say if they come back at [£45K]? Can I accept this on your behalf?
What about if they come in at [£43K]?, what will you say then?What about [£40K]?
“If you get offered today, will you cancel all other interviews? (if not – why not?)
“If your current employer counters, what would your decision process look like?”
“Assuming everything goes smoothly, when would you be ready to start?”
👉 Do you have any questions for me or for them when I call?
💰 Comms – Have you checked recently what is due and when?
📄 Contract – Has the candidate double checked their notice period? What about covenants?
🔁 Counter offer – has anything changed internally during the process that could make them stay? Are you really sure???
📨 Resigning – it is getting towards the end of the process, how are they feeling about getting to that point? Have they done it before? What happened?
🚦 Other opportunities – have you double checked who else they might be speaking to, even if you think the answer will be no? Where does your role sit in their priority list? 1, 2 or 3 – why?
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