New Applicants - a Warm Contact!
- Read the application
- If they sound right for the role (time commitment, availability, skills, accessibility requirements etc)
- It’s key to contact them within 24 hours of their application and wherever possible, by phone or if you can't phone, then text or email
- After 24 hours they’ll start to ‘cool’ which makes onboarding harder
- A warm human voice is always better than written communication
The initial call can be along the lines of:
"Thanks very much for applying, do you have 5 minutes now or when would be a better time to call?"
- If they can't chat, arrange a time to call back.
- If they can chat, ask a few basic questions and arrange another time to speak to them for a longer chat - preferably on Zoom:
- How much time can they volunteer?
- Do they have any access requirements we need to be aware of?
- Do they have any questions?
- Can they Zoom so you can have a longer chat about the role (as well as get to know them better)?
NB: Always arrange the next time to speak/meet during each call so they have the date in their calendar. Saves time and makes them feel 'held'.
If they haven't left a phone number or you've had your initial call, then send an email with the suggestions below.
- Template email :
- Thanks for signing up
- New joiners book (*check name of this) - don't send to existing rebels
- How best to keep in touch (give them options that suit you)
- Volunteer Agreement
- If you've spoken to them and arranged your next call then click the thumbs up on the Volunteer website.
- If you haven't spoken to them and you hear nothing back from your initial email, after a week send a second email. If no luck, click thumbs down.
- If they reply to your email and you're happy to move forward - click thumbs up on the Volunteer website site.
- The thumbs up/down buttons send out automated emails informing applicants whether or not they are on the waiting list.
- The thumbs up/down also informs Integrator Support how well a team is doing with recruitment.