You've got 200 resumes on your desk, clients on the phone and an inbox filled with all sorts of business issues that need to be addressed, and you only have two hours to do everything. In that type of high pressure work environment, what recruiter can be blamed for lacking in the area of…courtesy.  But courtesy is an essential element to long-term success in this business, or any business that depends on creating long-term relationships. Here are a few essential courtesies that each recruiter must practice if they want to create long-lasting relationships and a good reputation with candidates and clients:

1.    Always respond to every candidate who inquiries about employment.  It can be tempting to ignore inexperienced candidates or candidates who aren't appropriate for your current client needs but you could be passing up a great relationship.  Create a system that responds to all client inquiries while requiring minimal effort on your part.

2.    Don't leave candidates in the dark. If a candidate took out the time to send you a resume, cover letter or even met with you or a client, don't leave them wondering what happened with the job.  Keep all clients up-to-date on the status of jobs for which they applied/interviewed.

3.    Be honest and open about the candidate's current marketability.  If you know that there are few positions available for a candidate with certain skills and experience, let them know.  You should also advise them on what they can do to increase their current marketability.

Remember, being courteous to all candidates can pay off in the long-term.  Even if a candidate is not the right match for your clients today, they may prove an invaluable resource for referrals, contacts or may become the perfect candidate in the future