Posted by Jonathan Kidder on February 13, 2023

It’s not unexpected that a large portion of passive candidates you engage with are unlikely to become employees at your company. The majority of these candidates will not submit job applications or participate in interviews, and if they do, they may not be offered the role. Therefore, providing a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process is crucial. This not only aligns with your personal goals, but also helps maintain a favorable employer brand image for your company. Candidates have a tendency to share their experiences, both positive and negative, with others, making it critical for every recruiter to comprehend the essentials of creating a positive experience for all candidates.

What does candidate experience mean in recruiting?

Candidate experience refers to the entire journey that a job seeker goes through from the moment they first become aware of a job opening to the point at which they either receive an offer or are rejected for the position. This includes everything from the initial job listing, to the application process, communication with recruiters or hiring managers, interviews, and any follow-up interactions. The goal of a positive candidate experience is to make the process as smooth, informative, and enjoyable as possible for the candidate. This is beneficial for the company as it helps establish a positive reputation as an employer and can increase the chances of attracting top talent in the future. A poor candidate experience, on the other hand, can have a negative impact on the company’s employer brand and discourage talented individuals from applying for future job openings.

How to create a positive experience for candidates?

Here are several steps you can take to create a positive experience for candidates:

Make the job listing clear and comprehensive: Provide a detailed job description that includes the required skills and responsibilities, as well as the company culture and benefits.

Streamline the application process: Make it easy for candidates to apply by using online forms or applicant tracking systems.

Communication is key: Respond promptly to all candidate inquiries and keep them informed about the status of their application.

Provide a positive interview experience: Treat candidates with respect, make the interview process efficient, and provide timely feedback after the interview.

Foster a welcoming and inclusive workplace: Create a workplace environment that is welcoming, diverse, and inclusive for all candidates.

Offer constructive feedback: Provide feedback to candidates who are not selected for the role, as this can help them in their job search and improve their future experiences.

Continuously improve the process: Regularly assess the candidate experience and make changes to improve it based on feedback from candidates.

By following these steps, you can create a positive candidate experience and establish a positive reputation as an employer, which will help you attract top talent in the future.

Creating a candidate experience survey?

By surveying candidates about their experiences during the recruitment process, organizations can identify areas for improvement and make changes to create a more positive and efficient experience for future candidates.

Dear [Candidate Name],

Thank you for taking the time to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We value your feedback and would appreciate your honest answers to the following questions. This survey will help us improve our recruitment process and provide a better experience for future candidates.

Questions:

How would you rate your overall experience with our recruitment process? a. Excellent b. Good c. Fair d. Poor

Was the job listing clear and comprehensive? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree

How easy was it to apply for the job? a. Very easy b. Easy c. Neutral d. Difficult e. Very difficult

Was our communication with you prompt and informative? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree

How would you rate your interview experience? a. Excellent b. Good c. Fair d. Poor

Did you feel treated with respect during the interview process? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree

Were you provided with timely feedback after the interview? a. Strongly agree b. Agree c. Neutral d. Disagree e. Strongly disagree

Would you consider applying for a position at our company in the future? a. Yes b. No c. Unsure

Closing:

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your feedback is important to us and will be used to improve our recruitment process. If you have any additional comments or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.

Best regards, [Company Name]

Monitor reviews on websites like glassdoor:

Reputation Management: Glassdoor and other review sites allow employees and candidates to share their experiences with a company, which can have a significant impact on the organization’s reputation. Monitoring these reviews can help organizations to identify areas for improvement and address any negative comments or feedback.

Attracting Talent: Glassdoor and other review sites are often used by job seekers as a source of information when researching potential employers. A high rating and positive reviews can make a company more attractive to job seekers, while negative reviews can discourage them from applying.

Employee Engagement: Monitoring reviews can help organizations to identify patterns and trends in employee feedback, which can provide valuable insights into employee engagement and satisfaction levels. This information can be used to improve the company culture and create a more positive work environment.

Competitive Advantage: By monitoring reviews and actively working to address any negative comments, organizations can differentiate themselves from their competitors and build a positive reputation as an employer.

I wrote a book that goes more into this topic called: The Candidate Experience

(Purchase it on amazon here)

Final Thoughts…

If you neglect to continually improve your company’s brand, your business will ultimately suffer the consequences. You will see a decrease in job applicants and reduced interest in your job openings, leading to increased frustration among your hiring managers.

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Jonathan Kidder

With more than 12 years of recruitment experience, Jonathan has helped startups and small businesses find the talent they need. He runs the blog WizardSourcer, which explores the latest trends in talent sourcing, provides reviews of recruitment tools, and features interviews with prominent figures in the industry.