Hiring
How to Deliver an Exceptional Candidate Experience and Win the War for Talent
Providing a positive experience for job candidates benefits companies in many ways. Learn how to create a great candidate experience.
Hiring
Providing a positive experience for job candidates benefits companies in many ways. Learn how to create a great candidate experience.
Isabel García
HR Consultant
20 of September, 2023
Has your company invested in the candidate experience? If not, it should. You’re likely spending a lot of time, money, and resources attracting top talent, but what happens after candidates apply?
Providing a positive experience for applicants, even those you don’t hire, has significant benefits for your business. Candidates today have more choices and options at their fingertips, and they talk. A poor experience gets shared, and it damages your brand and hiring ability.
On the flip side, roll out the red carpet for candidates, make them feel valued, and they’ll spread the good word about your company culture. Here are a few tips to improve your candidate experience and why it matters. Read on to learn how to strengthen your recruitment and set your company apart.
Candidate experience refers to a job applicant’s experience when interacting with your company during the hiring process. Providing a positive experience is critical for both your company’s brand and your ability to attract top talent.
As a candidate engages with your hiring process, they are evaluating you just as much as you’re evaluating them. A poor experience can reflect negatively on your company culture and values, damaging your brand and reputation.
On the other hand, a great experience, even for candidates you don’t hire, can strengthen your brand and turn those candidates into new customers or brand advocates.
When you roll out the red carpet for candidates, it also makes you more attractive to in-demand talent. In today’s job market, top candidates have their pick of opportunities. A positive, streamlined experience can be the differentiator that makes them choose you over a competitor.
Some key ways to provide a great candidate experience are: respond to applications promptly; give clear expectations about the hiring process and timeline; ensure a smooth interview experience; and communicate with candidates regularly and respectfully, even if it’s to deliver a rejection.
While it does require effort, focusing on candidate experience is worth it. It builds goodwill, strengthens your brand, and helps you land the best talent. And with the right tools, like Sesame’s recruitment software, you can efficiently provide an experience candidates will rave about.
Providing a positive experience for your candidates benefits your company in so many ways.
To provide a positive candidate experience, focus on:
By putting in the effort to create an exceptional experience for your candidates, you’re investing in the long-term success of your business. What could be more worthwhile?
If you want to attract and retain top talent, focus on the experience you provide candidates. Here are some tips to improve it:
Focusing on the human side of hiring will help set you apart. By providing an exceptional experience for all candidates, you build goodwill and loyalty which serves your company, your customers and your community. Candidates will walk away with a positive view of your organization even if they are not selected for the role.
You’ve now seen how crucial candidate experience is to the success and growth of your business. When you invest in the experience of every single candidate, whether or not they get the job, you’re building goodwill and strengthening your employer brand.
People talk, and word of mouth is still one of the most powerful forms of marketing. Give each candidate a positive experience with your company and you’ll gain brand ambassadors who help attract other great talent.
Focus on the human side of hiring and make sure each candidate leaves with a good impression. Your company, your culture, and your future hires will thrive as a result. Providing an exceptional candidate experience is well worth the effort.