Here is a wake-up call for all employers: a poor candidate experience will lose you a potentially talented employee and result in negative feedback shared with friends. And the proportion of applicants who will recount an unpleasant recruitment experience is staggering. According to a recent survey, 8 out of 10 candidates will tell their family and friends about it.
While the percentage of candidates who will also post their poor application experience on social media is significantly lower – 6% – the situation is very serious. As Olinio recruitment experts know, word-of-mouth is still a powerful means of spreading good and bad news.
What Have Candidates to Say About the Recruitment Process?
The survey conducted by a professional company included questions related to the entire recruitment process – from the initial application to the final interview. About one-fifth of the respondents (22%) declared that the process was “stressful and soul-destroyer”.
However, more than half of them – 62% – complained of poor communication during the recruitment process.
Ghosting in Recruitment is Just as Bad as on Social Media
Most companies are very careful about keeping in touch with their customers regularly on social media. However, they do not apply the same diligence when it comes to the people who apply for a job vacancy. A research study found that 45% of applicants were ghosted after they had an initial conversation with a recruiter.
This is an example of a terrible hiring experience that will stay with the candidate for a long time. And they will tell others about it – some of whom will avoid applying for jobs at the respective company.
And this is how a negative ripple effect appears, leading to a negative employee brand perception far beyond the candidates who experienced a negative recruitment process.
Tips to Create a Positive Hiring Experience for Candidates
After the bad news, the Olinio recruitment team steps in with a few actionable tips to help you improve the application experience you offer. Here is what you need to do:
1. Create a Clear and Comprehensive Job Ad
Good communication in hiring starts with the job ad. The candidate must understand very clearly:
- The qualifications, skills, and educational background required for the job
- The daily tasks they are expected to perform
- The work schedule
- The benefit package they will receive.
Also, stop using buzzwords like “hustle culture” and “work hard, play hard” in your job ads. Most candidates see them as red flags and will not apply for your vacancy.
2. Use an Omnichannel Approach to Candidate Communication
Right now, the labour market already contains a significant percentage of digitally native candidates, and more will join it soon. They use many communication channels:
- Direct messaging apps
- Social media
- Native video call apps on their phone.
Our recruiting specialists are also using these channels to keep in touch with applicants. They are very effective for sending quick updates, without taking too much time and being disruptive.
Also, being active on these modern communication channels creates a positive candidate experience among millennials and Gen Z.
3. Share Your Company Culture with Candidates
The younger generation is no longer interested in the 9-5 grind. They are perceived as job hoppers because they are looking for meaningful and fulfilling jobs. This is why it is important to showcase your company culture at every step in the recruitment process.
Candidates who perceive that a company shares their values are more likely to apply and, if successful, stay with the employer for a long time.
4. Create a Mix of Human Input and Technology in the Hiring Process
Many employers are now relying on AI to conduct the entire recruitment process. This is wrong and is the main cause why candidates complain of poor communication. Technology is a tool to assist in the process, but should never replace humans.
At Olinio, we know how to combine our recruiters’ talent with the latest technologies to create a seamless and pleasant experience for every candidate. Contact us to help you create a positive hiring experience and retain the best talents!