So how does this topic relate to Recruiting? I think you’ll understand after reading this.

I think most of us have had a bad experience with service or a bad quality product in our lives. It makes us never want to go back to that store or be waited on by that person.

From a young age I’ve always been willing to wait a little longer or pay a little more for what I felt was the superior product or wait even longer to talk to the person that genuinely wanted to help me. 

My patience may be because my father wasn’t this way....he always looked to get the best...CHEAPEST price and was patient with poor service.....NOT ME! I have countless examples of good service and poor service........my most recent Genuine Service + Quality Product experience is with APPLE.

I decided a while ago (before it even hit the shelves) to buy an iPad , and wasn’t going to just buy the WiFi model....I thought the WiFi + 3G was a much better match for my needs...ok wants!!...I mean, really...do any of us need that thing. The answer is NO. I work hard, long hours and I deserve it....so judge me if you want, but I don’t care.

I showed up at the Mall where our local APPLE Store is 45 minutes before the doors opened and was about 30th in line. I really can’t stand still for more than about 10 minutes so I wasn’t sure if I’d really wait 45 minutes or more for this hyped up iPad. 

As I stood in line, I watched the people begin to introduce themselves to each other and each pulled their iphone out and discussed various Applications...you know APP’s. Bonds began to form and even contact information exchanged by many....definitely a “cult-like” ..ok a “special club”, not a cult environment. Then out of nowhere the Apple folks wander around in the mall and begin talking to the people in line...at this point there were probably about 100+ in line. Then, the mall coffee store Tazza Mia starts at the beginning of the line with a cart stocked with bottled water, Carafes of fresh coffee and cookies and is giving the APPLE GEEKS waiting in line treats! First, I thought they were selling them, but nope...giving them away...or APPLE paid for it.....either way everyone in line was quite impressed with the small token appreciation/service.

Of course, I thought....the iPad is no less than $629 and could cost you up to $829 (before tax)....so I’m confident their profit margin covers a bottle of water and a cookie.

Still.....Its been a long time since anyone, let alone a  big, bad company took the time to provide service like that. I love Best Buy, but they don’t give me anything, but the “NEXT IN LINE” shout when I’m waiting!

APPLE opened the store promptly at 5pm and let a handful of people in at a time to purchase the “Magical and Revolutionary Product” known as the iPad. OK, now its my turn to enter the store and it’s only 5:10pm....The APPLE Genius greeted me with a smile (likely thinking...SUCKER!), but it he seemed genuine and asked me how I intended to use the iPad to ensure I got the right one, didn’t pressure sell and add-on accessories. 

It was a great experience, I got a nice product and have always been treated really well by APPLE....unlike my recent experiences with DELL.....as a matter a fact, I'm still so mad at DELL from the last experience I had I'm not even providing a hyperlink. 

I am probably a loyal APPLE customer and more because of the service, not really the product! 

So......get it?

See the connections to recruiting???

If I provide the candidates I am interviewing with GREAT SERVICE they will (hopefully) remember ME and the superior service I offered them. 

The candidate probably showed up to the interview nervous and really wanted the job, but I hope they walk away having a great experience. If they happen to get an offer from me.....I know they’ll accept. They came in for an interview for the job they wanted AND THEY HAD A GENUINE EXPERIENCE. If they don’t happen to be the “most qualified candidate” and don’t get the job offer I want them to always remember the experience and still consider doing business with us....and who knows, maybe I get another job in the future that they will be perfect for.....I just want to know I could call them back and they will remember me and agree to come back for another interview. 

When they candidate gets the job they want, have a genuinely great experience, they become LOYAL employee’s. LOYAL employee’s repeat great service to customers.....customers that experience this become LOYAL as well. Pretty Simple, huh!? You’d think so, but I end this with........

When was the last time you, as a customer, had a great experience that felt genuine and got a quality product? Are you a LOYAL customer? Are you a LOYAL EMPLOYEE?

Now this is a loyal customer!