It has happened to all of us.
We apply for a job, only to be left hanging in anticipation for a response. “Did I get that second interview?” “Was my offer accepted?”
This anticipation feels similar to personal situations. “Did I get that apartment I really wanted?” “Are they interested in another date?”
Being left in the dark is hurtful and emotionally draining– both professionally and personally. So why do we do it to others? The short answer is that as humans, sometimes it’s easier to avoid conflict.
Now more than ever, the candidate experience is incredibly important. The talent pool is still competitive, and finding good people is harder than ever. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the labor shortage is here to stay— even as the market cools.
That means the old school mentality of “everyone wants to work here” is gone. The marketplace has shifted, and candidates are more selective about where they want to work— especially coming out of the pandemic.
As the great resignation has played out over the last few years, it has resulted in employees leaving jobs and companies they aren’t aligned with. This means their next role is most likely not just another job. In turn, recruiters and hiring teams must sell them on the opportunity.
A crappy hiring process has many implications.
- It’s disrespectful. Rejection is hard, but hearing back is so appreciated.
- It can damage your and your company’s reputation. The marketing community is small, and candidates talk to their friends, coworkers and other recruiters… a lot.
- It’s a missed opportunity. By not following up with candidates, the opportunity to collect valuable feedback and insights on your company and interview process is missed.
- It reduces your talent pool. A tarnished reputation can lead to a smaller and less competitive pool of applicants.
- It decreases employee morale. If employees catch wind of how candidates are treated, it can negatively impact their perception of the company’s culture and values.
The good news is that fostering a positive candidate experience is easy.
It all boils down to effective communication:
- Be sure to communicate regularly, even if you don’t have an update.
- When you reject candidates, be human and show empathy.
- Give personalized feedback if possible.
- Always thank them for their time and interest in your company.
- Keep in touch by connecting with them on LinkedIn.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the candidate experience including interview prep and tips over the coming months.