ARE YOU LOSING GOOD CANDIDATES?

The Job Seeker journey has changed significantly over the past decade, with social media and technology platforms leading the way, providing candidates with more options to connect with employers faster than ever before.  Our tech savvy candidates are more informed and spend time researching employers, not only to help with the decision making  process,   but to also evaluate employers and job opportunities before  they attend interviews.

Engaging candidates at every step of the recruitment process is critical. We frequently hear of candidates turning down jobs roles because of poor interviews, lack of information and limited engagement and understanding  from the recruiter or business.

Here are some useful tips for interviewing candidates to help you secure your next great employee.

Candidates Want Useful Info

Candidates want clarity around what the job involves. During an interview, be prepared to provide details about job responsibilities, company mission and vision, commitment to training and development, career path, how they fit with the team and salary and benefits.

Company Culture Matters

Candidates want to know why they should consider a job with your company.  The reason your company exists, its values and the purpose behind the business is important and inspiring, especially to those outside your business. Introduce candidates to hiring managers, other employees, the work environment and company website to help candidates experience the culture and meet like minded professionals within your business. It can provide the WOW factor to help engage great talent.

Positive Recruitment Experience Can Elevate Your Brand

One bad interview can be damaging  to your brand. Candidates want to be treated with respect, so it’s important to make sure interviews kick off on time, with a knowledgeable recruiter or hiring manager, armed with relevant questions.   Take extra time to engage with candidates and be a positive, inspiring communicator during  the discussion.  Conversation with the direct hiring manager or leaders can improve candidate acceptance rates and create a quality interview experience. We find 70% of candidates say a bad interview experience makes them lose interest in a job.

Its Not  Always About Money

Studies show that people change jobs for a range of reasons and money is not always at the top of the list. Many candidates are motivated by growth opportunities, learning  from great leaders, ability to make an impact, desire to take on more challenging work, better skills and interest fit, reduced commute time and better work life balance. Sharing details about the benefits and not just focusing on salary can help promote your job role as an attractive opportunity compared to others.

Candidates Value Feedback

Candidates value feedback from employers more than we chose to realise. In most cases they have been through numerous screening and interviews to reach the final selection stage. 89% of candidates complain about the lack of feedback and most are not even contacted following  the  final round of interviews. Employers can create a positive experience, gain more referrals and improve their brand exposure amongst job seekers by contacting shortlisted candidates to give them valuable feedback and to also consider them for future roles.

Written by Sylvia Leigh, Owner/Director Astrum.