Kim Vercoulen
Recruitment Consultant
In recruitment, the “perfect” match on paper does not always exist. Sometimes the real opportunity lies just outside the original brief.
In a recent search, we saw a great match in a candidate we knew well, as we thought her experience and personality would fit well in our client’s team. At the same time, they did not fully match the requirements we were given. One of the main points was related to working arrangements: the role was initially expected to be more office-based, while the candidate was looking for greater flexibility when it came to remote work.
Rather than discarding the profile, we decided to present the candidate to our client anyway. Transparency is key in these situations, so we clearly highlighted where the match was slightly different from the original requirements and why we still believed they could be a strong addition to the team.
To the client’s credit, they approached the situation with an open mind. Instead of focusing solely on the checklist, they agreed to meet the candidate and explore the potential fit in more detail.
That conversation made all the difference.
During the interviews, it quickly became clear that the overall match was very strong, despite initial concerns. The candidate’s expertise, attitude, and way of thinking aligned very well with the team’s needs. At the same time, the client showed flexibility regarding the working arrangements, recognizing the long-term value the candidate could bring.
The result was a successful placement and a very happy candidate and client.
This case is a good reminder that recruitment is not only about ticking every box. Sometimes the best matches happen when both sides are willing to look beyond the initial requirements and focus on the bigger picture.
