6 TIPS FOR CREATING A WINNING CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE

By Jessica Roberts, Lead Analyst, Employment Technologies

Providing an exceptional candidate experience is essential for companies looking to attract top talent and build a strong employer brand. A positive candidate experience improves candidate engagement, attracts higher quality candidates, and gives your company a clear competitive advantage.

Use these six strategies to build a positive and engaging candidate experience.

1. Clear and Transparent Communication

• Job Descriptions: Write clear, detailed, and realistic job descriptions to set accurate expectations.
• Application Process: Clearly outline the steps of the application process, including timelines and what candidates can expect at each stage.
• Updates: Regularly update candidates about their application status to keep them informed and reduce anxiety.

2. Streamlined Application Process

• User-Friendly System: Use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that is easy to navigate and mobile-friendly.
• Simplicity: Minimize the number of steps and required fields in the application to avoid candidate drop-off.
• Resume Upload: Allow candidates to upload their resumes and auto-fill application forms.

3. Respectful and Timely Interactions

• Acknowledge Applications: Send an immediate confirmation email upon receipt of an application.
• Timely Responses: Respond to inquiries promptly and provide timely feedback after interviews.
• Flexible Scheduling: Offer flexible interview scheduling to accommodate different time zones and previous commitments.

4. Engaging and Job-Relevant Assessments

• Enhanced Experience: Applicants prefer assessments that directly relate to the job, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their job-relevant skills and competencies.
• Motivation and Engagement: When applicants encounter assessments that directly relate to the job, they are often more motivated and engaged in the hiring process.
• Better Job Fit: Job-relevant assessments give applicants a clearer understanding of how their skills and experiences align with the requirements of the position and whether the job is a good fit for them.

5. Convenient and Personalized Interviews

• Preparation: Interviewers should be well trained and well prepared. They should be familiar with the candidate’s resume and ready to discuss specific skills and experiences.
• Consistency: Ensure a consistent interview process, so all candidates are evaluated fairly.
• Positive Interaction: Create a welcoming atmosphere, be punctual, and show genuine interest in the candidate.

6. Employer Branding

• Company Culture: Highlight your company culture through social media, blog posts, and employee testimonials.
• Transparency: Be transparent about the company’s mission, values, and work environment to attract candidates who align with your culture.

By focusing on these six areas, you can create a winning candidate experience that attracts top talent by enhancing your company’s reputation as a great place to work. Positive candidate experiences can turn candidates into advocates for the company, even if they don’t get the job.

Employment Technologies is the pioneer and leading developer of job simulations and immersive assessments for talent prediction. Whether you’re looking for pre-hire assessments, job simulations, virtual interview software, onboarding tools, or leadership development, our job-specific approach consistently helps clients achieve higher quality hires, increased retention, and a strong return on investment.