You’ve received a qualified candidate from us – congratulations! However, the “hand-off” is where most hires are won or lost. In today’s market, the best talent is off the board in days, not weeks.
If you’re struggling to get candidates to pick up the phone, here is the playbook for better engagement.
1. The 4-Hour Rule (Speed is a Feature)
Data shows that your chances of reaching a candidate drop by 50% if you wait more than 24 hours to reach out.
- The Goal: Call within 4 hours of receiving the resume.
- The Reality: If you wait three days, they’ve already booked two other interviews.
2. Text First, Call Second
Most people (especially Gen Z and Millennials) do not answer “Potential Spam” or unknown numbers.
- The Best Practice: Send a quick, professional text before you call.“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Dealership]. We just got your resume from CarGuys Inc. and love your background. When can we discuss the job opportunities that we have here? Here is a link to schedule a time on our calendar for an interview: [INSERT CALENDAR LINK]
- This “warms up” the lead and ensures they actually schedule.
3. Personalize the Outreach
Candidates are being ghosted by employers just as much as employers are being ghosted by candidates. Show them you actually read their resume.
- Instead of: “I’m calling about your application.”
- Try: “I saw you have five years of experience with European imports—that’s exactly what our shop needs right now.”
4. Vary Your Communication “Channels”
If you only email, you’ll get buried in their inbox. If you only call, you’ll hit voicemail. Use the Triple Threat:
- Text: To introduce yourself.
- Call: To establish a human connection.
- Email: To provide formal details and a calendar link.
5. Use a “Book Me” Link
Remove the “phone tag” game entirely. Include a link to your calendar (Calendly, Google, etc.) in your initial email and text. Let the candidate pick a time that works for them while they are still excited about the role.
Quick Troubleshooting: Why they might not be picking up
| If the candidate… | Try this… |
| Doesn’t answer the phone | Leave a voicemail AND send a follow-up text immediately. |
| Is a Technician | Don’t call during shop hours (8 AM – 5 PM). Try early morning or right after 5:30 PM. |
| Is a Salesperson | Call immediately. If they don’t answer their phone, they likely won’t answer yours. |
Bottom Line: Treat a candidate like a high-priority sales lead. The faster and more “omnichannel” your approach, the higher your retention rate will be.
Note from CarGuys Inc: We do the heavy lifting of finding the talent, but you have to close the distance. Let’s get these positions filled!
