How do I know if a candidate from months ago is still interested or even a good fit?
Akshata Pawar
Senior TA Specialist
I’m a senior recruiter with 5 years of experience in talent acquisition, HR, and hiring technology. I write data-driven product reviews, ATS evaluations, and comparisons that help HR leaders choose tools with confidence.
You won’t know for sure until you check, but you can first filter for genuine fit and then confirm interest. Start by comparing the candidate's profile to your current job requirements. If their skills and experience still look good, reach out and ask directly. A quick message settles interest faster than guessing.
Fit and interest are two separate questions, but most recruiters jump straight to the second one. A candidate rediscovery scan answers the first question for you. It compares the candidate's resume to your new role's requirements and gives a match score based on skills, experience, and location relevance. This way, you know if the fit is real before you spend time reaching out.
To check interest, ask directly. Once a candidate passes the fit check, use a call, WhatsApp, or email to reach out. A short message like "we have a new opening that matches your background; are you open to a conversation?" gets a clear answer in minutes.
Checking fit first and then asking about interest saves you from following up with candidates who no longer match or wasting outreach on people who were never a strong fit to begin with.