By Ellie Moore-Giles published 7 October 2025
In my experience as a recruitment consultant, the first thing any decent recruiter looks for in candidates and clients, long before reviewing job specifications or CVs, is commitment. We may be working with the most talented individuals or the most prestigious organisations in the world, but if they are not fully invested in the hiring process, we have nothing. Without commitment, even the most promising roles or candidates can stall, wasting time, energy, and resources for everyone involved.
At Sheridan Maine, we ensure that when candidates and clients meet, both parties are genuinely invested. Our consultants dig deep to assess commitment from the outset. For candidates, we ask questions such as: “What are your career priorities in the next 12 months?”, “How flexible are you in considering new opportunities?”, and “What would make you fully engaged in this process?” For clients, we explore their expectations with queries like: “How quickly are you looking to fill this role?”, “What resources are you prepared to dedicate to the recruitment process?”, and “How committed are your hiring managers to supporting the interview and decision-making stages?” These conversations are vital and they help us identify whether both sides are ready to move with focus and determination.
Once commitment is established, we work with both parties to develop a recruitment plan grounded in SMART principles: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. A SMART plan ensures everyone understands the process, the goals, and the timelines, eliminating ambiguity and keeping the search on track. For example, a plan might specify: “Identify five shortlisted candidates within two weeks, schedule first-round interviews by the end of the month, and complete the hiring decision within six weeks.” Clear targets like this allow candidates and clients to align their efforts, maintain momentum, and achieve results efficiently.
Ultimately, commitment is the foundation of successful recruitment. Talent and opportunity alone are not enough - both sides must be fully invested in the process. By ensuring dedication and combining it with a well-structured, SMART recruitment plan, Sheridan Maine maximises the chances of success, saves time, and delivers the best outcomes for both clients and candidates. After all, in recruitment, engagement is everything.
