Three Ways to Improve the Candidate Experience

Access to company reviews and large networking platforms are just some of the ways job seekers can become uninterested in your organization before they even apply for a job. It is imperative your organization’s reputation with job seekers and potential candidates is positive and appealing. Do not let a bad candidate experience be the reason you lose top talent to a competitor. Just as great employers are searching for top talent and awesome employees, job seekers are on the hunt for great employers and attractive employer brands. Here are three ways to improve your candidate experience:

1.Become a Candidate

How can you properly evaluate your candidate experience if you are unaware of it? One of the best steps you can take to improve the experience candidates have with your organization is to step into their shoes. According to socialhire.com, to gain an accurate candidate experience, employers must apply for a job at their organization and ask the following questions:

• Did you find all the necessary information easily?
• Was your career site easy to navigate?
• Could you apply for the job on a mobile device?
• Did it take long to submit an application?
• Was it clear what the next steps would be?
• How could the process be improved?

Once these questions are answered, you can assess your application process from a first-hand experience, and make adjustments where needed. Another great way to step into the shoes of your candidates is through surveys. Extend the invitation to complete a survey after the hiring process and improve your candidate experience based on those findings.

2.Personalize Interviews

Employer-to-candidate engagement during phone and in-person interviews is the perfect opportunity to personify your organization’s employer brand. When introducing a potential candidate to your employer brand be sure to share your company’s values and culture. While certain questions are necessary, skip the mundane and use this time to get to know your candidate. This will show your candidate you care about employees beyond their capabilities while giving you the opportunity to make a better judgment in their ability to be a good cultural fit.

3.Provide Clear Communication

Communicate your hiring process and never leave candidates unsure of what to expect. A follow-up after an expression of interest, completed application, or interview is imperative and speaks to the character of your organization. Keeping communication professional and timely shows you respect the time and interest of the candidate—and is proper business etiquette.

For more tips on how to communicate with candidates and improve the candidate experience, read “Is Rude Your Regular? Communication in the Recruitment Process.”