Courtesy: Always in Style

Courtesy should always be a component of any professional relationship. However, for professionals looking for scarce work in the current economic environment, the exercise of courtesy has become particularly important. Not knowing where one’s candidacy stands adds additional stress to nerves already worn thin.

At Continuiti, keeping you “in the loop” when you’re submitted for an assignment has always been a fundamental part of our business plan. We will get back to you the same day even when the news is bad.  Of course, we don’t enjoy making those “bad news” phone calls.  But after all, you took important time out of your day to interview – so, shouldn’t we take the time to call you with the results? 

The memory of being treated insensitively at a vulnerable time – particularly at the hands of agencies you had  previously worked through as a candidate or had given business to as a client – will remained burned in the minds of applicants for years to come. We have been in this business long enough to know that the employment market will eventually reach the other extreme and competition for talent will be fierce.  Companies that felt courtesy was a nicety - but not a necessity - will feel the long-term pain of their short-sightedness.

When we formed Continuiti, we pursued a “cooperative” business model.  We purposely moved away from the prevailing “candidate as commodity” mindset.  Every time we interact with an applicant or current contractor, we are mindful that today’s applicant is tomorrow’s Director of HR. Our goals stretch beyond “filling this assignment”.  Instead, our focus is maintaining a relationship with you -- as either a candidate or client or both -- over the life of your career. “Continuiti” is not only our name, but it also describes our philosophy.  

A case in point is Mary K., who had been a client of Continuiti in her former position as Director of HR for a Fortune company. After a very aggressive five-month job search, she landed an assignment with one of our NYC clients.  “I am huge fan of Continuiti both from the candidate and the employer perspective,” she stated.  “As a candidate, status update of my candidacy was provided daily.  There is nothing better from a candidate point of view than knowing your actual status versus sitting on pins and needles for days waiting for someone to give you a call or send an email!”

Since then, Mary has hired four Continuiti consultants to provide tactical HR assistance so she can stay focused on reorganizing the client’s HR function. She appreciates Continuiti’s high-touch approach as a vendor, saying “The response to our business need is within 24 hours of the call.  My current client had never used Continuiti until this past May, and is very impressed with the high caliber of talent that they have provided. Knowing that they will handle all the contenders with care is also important to me (for obvious reasons!)”