Liz Corey is CHRO at Velosio. She builds award winning cultures and drives results.
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To start with a story, my husband was recently laid off from his company after 13 years of employment. He is now in the job market, and I am assisting him with his job search. I’ve been disappointed and frustrated with how difficult it has been for him to apply to jobs on company websites and the lack of communication from the companies to which he’s applied.
In my last article, I wrote about employee experience. In this article, I am going to touch on the importance of candidate experience. Talent acquisition is an essential process for any organization, as it involves finding and hiring the best candidates for available positions. However, it is crucial to consider the candidate experience throughout the entire talent acquisition process.
The candidate experience is the interactions that a job seeker has with a company during recruitment. It includes the initial job posting and the application, through the interview process to the final job offer, and it can have a significant impact on your organization’s ability to attract and retain top talent. Below, I will discuss the importance of the candidate experience in talent acquisition.
Brand Reputation
A positive candidate experience can enhance your organization’s brand reputation. Word of mouth and online reviews impact the reputation of your company. If a job seeker has a positive experience during the recruitment process, they are more likely to share their experience with others. This can help your organization attract more top talent in the future.
Improved Candidate Engagement And Post-Hire Retention
Candidates who have a positive experience during the recruitment process are more likely to engage with the organization. They are likely to be more interested in learning about your company, its culture and its values. This can lead to better engagement and retention rates. It can also increase employee referrals, which is a great source of new talent.
Better Quality Of Hires
A positive candidate experience can lead to better quality of hires. If the recruitment process is efficient, informative and respectful, candidates are more likely to accept job offers. Additionally, if it’s easy for candidates to apply, you will receive more and better quality applicants. You don’t want to lose out on a qualified candidate because you made it difficult to apply. You want to attract the best candidates for the position and reduce the risk of turnover.
Competitive Advantage
In today’s competitive job market, a positive candidate experience can give your organization a competitive advantage. Job seekers are more likely to apply to organizations that have a positive reputation. You can attract a larger pool of talented candidates and have a better chance of hiring the best person for the job.
Enhanced Diversity And Inclusion
A positive candidate experience can enhance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are more likely to apply to organizations that have a reputation for being inclusive and respectful. This means that your organization can attract a more diverse pool of candidates and create a more inclusive workplace culture.
So, how do we create that great candidate experience?
1. Be Easy To Do Business With
First and foremost, your organization must be easy to do business with when it comes to recruitment. Make it easy for candidates to find your jobs, apply, communicate with you and get feedback.
2. Ensure The Job Profile Is Realistic
The job posting can be used to sell the opportunity, attract the right talent and start the performance management process. Job postings that reflect the requirements of the role, as well as the KPIs and performance expectations for success, will ensure that the right candidates apply.
3. Be Responsive And Timely
All too often, we hear of recruiters “going dark.” Respond promptly to emails, phone calls and messages. Keep all candidates informed about the status of their applications and interviews.
4. Offer Clear And Transparent Communication
This includes ensuring that candidates are kept up to date on the process and with whom they will be meeting. Continue to provide information about the job requirements, as well as the company culture, interview process and timeline. Follow up when you say you will.
5. Provide All Candidates With Feedback
Provide feedback to candidates throughout the recruitment process, including after interviews and assessments. This feedback should be constructive and help candidates understand areas where they can improve.
6. Be Intentional About Your Employment Brand
The recruitment process should be used to showcase your company culture and values. It is important that the recruitment messaging on your website, job postings and social media answer candidate questions and reflect who your organization is.
The candidate experience is an essential component of the talent acquisition process. A positive candidate experience can enhance brand reputation, improve candidate engagement, attract better quality hires, give you a competitive advantage and enhance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
By implementing these tips, you can create a positive candidate experience that will not only attract top talent but also strengthen your company’s reputation as an employer of choice. Organizations that prioritize the candidate experience are more likely to attract and retain top talent, which can lead to long-term success.
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