Are you struggling to attract and retain top talent? It may be time to take a closer look at your candidate experience. According to the Criteria 2023 Candidate Experience Report, a positive candidate experience can have a significant impact on your ability to attract and retain quality candidates.
Here are some key findings from the report:
One of the most significant factors in creating a positive candidate experience is communication. Candidates want to know where they stand in the hiring process and expect timely updates throughout the process. In fact, 78% of candidates surveyed said that a lack of communication would cause them to have a negative perception of the employer.
Tip for employers: Make sure to communicate regularly with candidates throughout the hiring process, providing clear information about what to expect, and setting realistic timelines for next steps. Automated emails and texts can be helpful to keep candidates informed and engaged.
Another significant factor in the candidate experience is the application process. Candidates expect a streamlined and user-friendly application process, and anything that is too complicated or takes too long can cause them to abandon their application. In fact, 60% of candidates surveyed said that a complicated application process would cause them to abandon their application.
Tip for employers: Review your application process to make sure it is streamlined and user-friendly. Consider shortening the application form, removing unnecessary questions, and allowing candidates to save their progress and return to the application later.
Candidates want to know where they stand in the hiring process and expect feedback after interviews. In fact, 81% of candidates surveyed said that feedback after an interview is essential or very important.
Tip for employers: Provide feedback to candidates after interviews, whether they are successful or not. Feedback should be specific, constructive, and actionable, focusing on areas for improvement or highlighting strengths.
One of the most common complaints from job candidates in the Criteria 2023 Candidate Experience Report was being ghosted by employers. Ghosting is the act of abruptly ending communication with someone without any explanation or warning. Unfortunately, it is a growing trend among employers, and it can leave job seekers feeling frustrated and disrespected.
In fact, the report found that 52% of candidates had experienced being ghosted by an employer during the hiring process. This is a significant number and highlights a concerning trend in the way some companies treat their job candidates.
Employers need to understand that ghosting job candidates is not only unprofessional but also damaging to their employer brand. Candidates who have been ghosted are more likely to share their negative experience on social media, job review websites, and with friends and family. This can hurt an employer's reputation and make it more challenging to attract top talent in the future.
To avoid ghosting candidates, employers should commit to clear and transparent communication throughout the hiring process. This means setting expectations upfront about the timeline and steps involved in the process and providing regular updates to candidates, even if there is no significant news to report.
Improving the candidate experience can have a significant impact on your ability to attract and retain top talent. By focusing on communication, user-friendliness, and feedback, you can create a positive candidate experience that will set your organisation apart from the competition.
