Imagine you are the HR manager in a firm who is in the final step of recruiting for a high level post. The final job offer has been extended to the most desired candidate and you are awaiting a response

What would you do in this situation to ensure a good hire?
What will be an ideal response?

While he or she is considering the offer following negotiations, I would stay in contact with the selected candidate to reinforce my enthusiasm about hiring him or her, and to ensure that the individual bases their acceptance or rejection decision on facts rather than assumptions. I would also find out how the finalist prefers to be contacted (e.g., via phone or e-mail) and how often to prevent overwhelming the candidate with a barrage of messages.

If possible, I would arrange a call from the CEO to send the message that the finalist is valued and that the CEO cares about the company's employees. While awaiting an answer from the job finalist, I would not turn down the second choice. If the second choice candidate was told of a deadline for making a decision, I would contact him or her before the deadline has passed to say that the position is still open and to update the timeline. I would be careful not to make the second or third choice finalist feel like a consolation hire, treat them with enthusiasm if they are strong finalists to have advanced this far in the hiring process. Even if my first choice finalist accepts the offer, the company may want to try to hire the other finalists in the future.