Tips to Improve Candidate Experience and the Metrics to Focus On
Recruiting the right candidate for a job can be a daunting task, but it is just as important as any other business process. A great hiring process means a great candidate experience.
If your company levels up its process around the candidate experience, it is likely to attract more qualified applicants, increase employee retention, and even boost your brand image. So what metrics should you focus on to improve the candidate experience? In this post, we will discuss some essential tips to enhance the candidate experience and the metrics that you need to pay attention to.
Communication
Communication is unquestionably the most critical aspect of improving the candidate experience. Without proper communication, applicants can feel left in the dark and may even lose interest in the role. As a result, it is crucial to maintain an open line of communication throughout the hiring process.
It is important to encourage and improve communication during the hiring process. Keeping applicants updated about each stage of the recruitment process via email or phone call guarantees they are not anxious about their application status.
When measuring the effectiveness of your communication with talents, focus on your response time and feedback loop closure time. Ensuring that your response time is prompt and closing the feedback loop in a timely manner will show candidates that you value their time and effort.
Moreover, providing clear and concise job descriptions is also key to effective communication. This will help potential candidates understand the requirements of the role and align their expectations with yours.
Technology
Incorporating technology in your recruitment process can save you time and money while providing an exceptional candidate experience. Nowadays, there are many tools that can help you automate parts of the recruitment process and make it more efficient.
One of the most commonly used tools in the industry is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). The right ATS can assist you in streamlining your recruitment process, with features such as candidate self-scheduling, automated sending of emails, background check solutions and validated skill tests.
To ensure that you invested in the right system for your recruitment efforts, there are several metrics you should look at:
- Time-to-Hire: This metric measures the time taken to hire a candidate from the moment they entered your pipeline. An efficient ATS should reduce this time, as it automates tasks and eliminates manual processes.
- Cost-Per-Hire: Another important metric to consider is the cost associated with hiring a candidate. With an ATS, you can reduce the cost-per-hire by automating tasks and improving efficiency in your recruitment process.
- Candidate Satisfaction: Using technology can also improve the overall satisfaction of candidates with their experience. By providing them with user-friendly tools and timely communication, candidates are more likely to have a positive perception of your company and the hiring process. You can measure this by conducting post-application surveys or incorporating candidate experience ratings in your ATS.
- Candidate Drop-Off Rate: This measures the number of applicants who start the application process but do not complete it. A high drop-off rate could indicate that your application system is too complicated or time-consuming, leading to a negative candidate experience.
Application Process
A lengthy and complicated application process can be a major turnoff for candidates. To improve the candidate experience, make sure your application process is easy to follow and does not require excessive information or unnecessary steps.
Simplify your application form by only asking for essential details that are relevant to the role. Also, consider using options like LinkedIn profile import or resume parsing to save applicants time and effort.
Moreover, ensure that your application process is mobile-friendly as more candidates are applying for jobs through their mobile devices. A user-friendly and seamless mobile experience can significantly improve the overall candidate experience.
Candidate Feedback
A vital aspect of enhancing candidate experience is to seek feedback. Feedback lets candidates know that their opinions matter, which helps you continuously improve your hiring process.
Moreover, feedback sources, like review sites, social media feedback, and exit interviews, help attract top talent in the future. This is possible as positive feedback communicates to potential candidates that your company values and invests in its employees.
Metrics to focus on when monitoring candidate feedback include candidate experience ratings, review sites & social media ratings, blog post comments and feedback response time. You can also track the number of referrals from candidates who had a positive experience with your company.
Employer Branding
A strong employer brand is often prioritized by candidates looking for the right organization. Therefore, improving your employer brand through social media marketing, process transparency, showcasing company culture and values, and recognizing previous achievements, all contribute to a better candidate experience.
If you want to keep improving your employer branding, here are some of the metrics you should focus on:
- Employer Reputation Rating: This measures how well your company is perceived by potential candidates. Social media ratings, Glassdoor reviews, and word-of-mouth are all essential factors that contribute to this metric.
- Employee Retention Rate: A high employee retention rate is a strong indicator of a positive employer brand. If your employees are happy and satisfied with their experience at your company, they are more likely to stay long-term.
- Employer Brand Awareness Rating: This metric measures how well your brand is known in the job market. Monitoring this metric can help you identify areas to improve and increase your reach to potential candidates.
- Employee Referral Rate: Encouraging employee referrals not only reduces costs but also shows that employees are confident enough in your company to recommend it to others. A high referral rate indicates a positive employer brand and satisfied employees.
Provide a Better Experience for Applicants
Improving candidate experience is an elemental factor of any hiring process. By focusing on metrics such as communication, technology, and employer branding, you can establish a holistic approach that overall improves the engagement of your prospective employees.
Effective implementation of the above strategies and tracking respective metrics will certainly help your organization develop an incredible candidate experience, helping you attract the most qualified candidates who fit your company culture and values. Investing in these programs and tracking your process is worthwhile in attracting and retaining top talent.
