Here are a few reasons why employers still search high and low for passive candidates:
- These candidates might be working for a competitor. Stealing them will give an edge, in terms of procuring inside info, and weakening their workforce.
- Candidates who still have their job are deemed more worthy, because their employers might have considered them too valuable to offload, even in tough economic times.
- Passive candidates are not too eager, and will not misrepresent themselves in the resume or during an interview.
- As they are still working in an organization, they will possibly have more quality professional contacts.
- A candidate stolen from a competitor can attract other former colleagues to the new organization through referrals and recommendations.
- They tend to be more financially stable, and have better credit records, than the the long-term unemployed.
- Those who are still working at expected to be better updated on current trends and skills, compared to those who have rusted over in months of unemployment.
- Passive candidates are far less likely to have any skeletons in the closet, while an unemployed person might have been terminated for a cause.
- Finally, passive candidates will only take up a new position if they are passionate about the new job; an active candidate on the other hand might jump at any opportunity.
