The candidate experience is one of the most important parts of the hiring process to get right. Not only does it determine the caliber of talent you attract, but it also helps maintain a positive perception of your company.
What is the candidate experience?
The candidate experience is the journey someone takes from discovering your job posting to being onboarded by your company. Being attentive to every detail involved in each stage of the experience ensures candidates feel supported, even if you don’t end up hiring them. If you’re looking to improve your company’s candidate experience, here are the most important things to focus on.
1. Create excitement
Excitement is often why someone goes from reading the job description to hitting the “Apply” button. When you write your description, dig deep into what makes your mission, workplace, and team one of a kind. This is your chance to showcase what sets you apart from your competitors. Perhaps you have been an industry leader for over 50 years? Maybe your team works on a hybrid schedule. Start with this hook.
2. Give candidates an accurate, thorough description of the job
After reading your hook, candidates will want a full understanding of what a day on the job will look like. Will they work on-site? How will they get there? Who will they collaborate with and report to? Set realistic expectations and thoroughly cover responsibilities, goals for the position, pay, and benefits. Consult current employees to learn if they felt anything was missing from the job description when they applied.
3. Make applying easy
Some online application platforms require candidates to upload their resumes and then manually enter every position listed on the resume. A challenging application process with unnecessary steps like this can quickly turn candidates off a job or a company altogether. Be selective with which job boards you post to, ensuring the application process is intuitive and doesn’t take up too much of candidates’ valuable time.
4. Don’t let anyone fall through the cracks
If you were to only take one thing away from this article, it should be this: communicate frequently with all candidates, even if you don’t end up hiring them. This may sound like an impossible task if you have hundreds of applicants, but it’s easier than it seems. Even a personalized rejection letter ensures candidates feel seen and recognized by your company. For candidates who move forward through the process, update them regularly on the status of their application. Simply keeping in touch will make you stand out from many competitors.
We polled our professional network on their most positive experiences as candidates. The majority of respondents said that frequent communication was what the recruiter or hiring manager did best.
5. Make sure candidates are prepared
From interviews to their first day of work, equipping candidates with job-specific tools and information will help them succeed. Consider sharing things like interviewers’ LinkedIn profiles, tips for parking at your office, and even interview questions ahead of time. These small gestures can help candidates feel confident and supported. If they turn out to be a good fit, this support may increase the likelihood that they will accept an offer and stay with your company longer when hired.
6. Give hired candidates a warm welcome
From a personalized gift to going out to lunch with the team, giving hired candidates a unique welcome can create a lasting impression. Many companies we work with give new employees branded merchandise, helping them feel like part of the team from day one. The more personalized the gift, the better. Food and beverages are popular choices—just be sure to take note of any allergies and preferences ahead of time.
A positive candidate experience benefits everyone
Creating a positive experience for candidates, regardless of whether you hire them, is worth the effort. Above all else, giving candidates personal attention helps ensure they feel seen and appreciated. This not only elevates their perception of your brand but also ensures you attract high-caliber talent.
Our Executive and Professional Recruiters are experienced in providing candidates with highly positive experiences. To elevate your next hiring search together, contact us or call us at 651-383-2020.