How to brief a recruiter (role, level, salary)

A tight brief saves weeks. Use this structure to get focused shortlists and fewer back‑and‑forths.

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1) Role snapshot (what success looks like)

Start with outcomes, not a laundry list. Give the smallest set of facts that explain why the role exists.

• Purpose & outcomes: 90‑day success markers; the core problems to solve.
• Reporting & team: Manager, peers, key stakeholders.
• Scope: Top 4–6 responsibilities that actually take 80% of the time.
• Tools/tech: Only the ones that are truly required on day one.

2) Must‑haves vs nice‑to‑haves

Draw a bright line to reduce mismatches and widen the funnel intelligently.

• Must‑haves: 3–5 non‑negotiable skills/experiences directly tied to outcomes.
• Nice‑to‑haves: Stretch areas or skills teachable in the first 3 months.

3) Seniority and salary band

Give a realistic level and range to keep the pipeline coherent.

• Level: Title/grade and team fit (e.g., IC vs manager).
• Range & components: Base, bonus band, any allowances; note flex or caps.
• Market sanity‑check: See our salary bands notes for EP roles.

4) Work pass feasibility (keep it practical)

If you are open to foreign candidates, flag feasibility early to avoid surprises later. EPs are employer‑sponsored and subject to eligibility and COMPASS. For borderline cases, model both paths.

• Quick orientation: EP basics and EP vs S Pass.
• Check role/comp alignment and advertising needs under FCF.

5) Hiring process and timing

• Stages: e.g., recruiter screen → hiring manager → panel → case/task.
• Owners: Who gives feedback at each stage, and by when.
• Decision cadence: Target week for offer decision; any hard deadlines.

6) Selection criteria (how you decide)

• Weighting: e.g., problem‑solving (30%), scope match (30%), culture fit (20%), communication (20%).
• Disqualifiers: Clear triggers to reject (e.g., team‑fit conflicts, non‑negotiable shifts).
• Scorecard: Use an objective template for consistency — see our interview scorecard.

Sample briefing template (copy/paste)