.jpg)
Improving communication and engagement with candidates throughout the hiring process is key to securing the best talent in the market Hiring processes can be long and arduous, but it's important to remember that the candidates you're considering are people, too. Keeping them in the loop and engaging them throughout the process is not only the right thing to do, but it can also give you an advantage in the hiring race.
In this article, we'll discuss ways to communicate and engage your applicants effectively during the hiring process. Why is candidate engagement important in a hiring process?
Most people would agree that finding the right employee is essential to the success of any business. However, finding the right candidate is only one part of the equation - you also need to be able to successfully communicate with and engage them throughout the hiring process.
Here are some reasons why:
It's essential to keep candidates informed about their status in the hiring process. If they don't hear from you, they may assume that they aren't being considered or that they've been rejected.
In the dating world, silence often indicates the person is exploring other options – the same meaning translates in hiring processes too
Candidates who feel engaged are more likely to be interested in the position and motivated to do well in the interview process.
Having a good communication and engagement strategy can help reduce turnover rates and increase employee satisfaction levels once you've hired them.
In short, communicating and engaging your applicants throughout the hiring process is essential for finding the best candidates, reducing turnover rates, and building a happy, productive workforce.
What are some ways to communicate with candidates? There are a number of channels you can use to communicate with your candidates, depending on what you want to get across. You can use:
Text messages
Phone calls
Email
Social media platforms such as LinkedIn
I’m a huge fan of voice notes as its more personal than a text as they can hear your tone of voice which is also more engaging for the receiver
Each method has its own set of pros and cons, so it's important to consider what you want to achieve with each communication channel. For example, text messages are great for quick questions and getting a quick response, but they're not ideal for providing detailed information. On the other hand, email is perfect for sending long explanations, but can be slow to generate a response. How often should you communicate with candidates in a hiring process?
It's important to strike a balance between staying in touch too often, and not staying in touch at all. You don't want to bombard candidates with emails, but you also don't want them to forget about you.
We recommend communicating with candidates at least once a week at the very minimum. This can be in the form of an email, a phone call, or even an in-person meeting. If you're interviewing multiple candidates, try to rotate who you communicate with so that everyone has an equal opportunity to stay top-of-mind. What are some things to avoid when communicating with candidates? One of the most important things to remember is that your words carry a lot of weight. What you say can make or break a candidate's experience, so it's crucial to be mindful of your communication style. Here are a few things to avoid:
Being condescending or dismissive
Making assumptions about candidates' qualifications
Making assumptions about candidates' motivations
Being vague or non-committal
Crossing boundaries (e.g., asking for too much personal information)
Being rude or unprofessional
How can you improve candidate engagement? It's important to keep in mind that not all candidates are the same. Some may be more engaged and responsive than others, so it's important to tailor your communications accordingly. Here are a few tips for improving candidate engagement:
Use clear and concise language
Respond promptly to inquiries
Be transparent and provide regular updates
Make the process as easy as possible
Encourage feedback and interaction
Conclusion: The hiring process can be long and stressful for both employers and candidates. Communicating with candidates effectively can help make the process smoother for everyone involved. By keeping candidates informed of what's happening, you can reduce the chances of them becoming frustrated or disillusioned with the process. In addition, candidate engagement can help employers better assess a candidate's fit for the job. By understanding how a candidate thinks and processes information, an employer can get a better picture of how they would work within the company. You can learn more about how to improve your hiring and interviewing skills by attending one of our workshops - you can learn more HERE