The Key to an Outstanding Candidate Experience? Preparing for Interviews
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According to IBM, applicants are 38% more likely to accept a job offer if they have had a positive experience. Another report found that 77% of those who have a positive experience with a candidate share it with their network. And nearly 4 in 5 (78%) believe that the overall experience a candidate has is an indicator of how much a company values its employees (CareerBuilder).
The statistics about the benefits of a positive candidate experience are omnipresent. It's one of those features that you don't have to worry about, but so many companies fail. Glassdoor is a cornucopia of negative reviews from employees who were treated poorly by hiring managers or employees. Complaints range from tardiness and poor behavior to lack of information, lack of preparation and slow response times.
What can be done?
In a world where key talent is scarce, companies need to focus on pulling out all the stops when it comes to candidate experience. Ask yourself:
- Is the process smooth?
- Is communication clear and concise?
- Are hiring managers and interviewers aligned?
- Are you creating a culture of inclusion?
- Are the applicants prepared for the interview?
This last question is often overlooked, but can be of utmost importance. Ensuring your candidates know what to expect from the hiring process and what a good interview looks like can greatly improve the experience. It creates a level playing field that allows applicants to put their best foot forward and demonstrate their skills without fear of the unknown.
Interview preparation in action
This content, tailored specifically to the needs of applicants, can be sent to applicants before the interview and offers companies a number of advantages:
Positive Applicant Feedback: Conducting training programs before interviews shows how much you value and care about the people going through the process. They are interested in their success. This can also impact your employer brand and lead to even more applications.
Better interview performance: Candidates who have access to training materials and resources generally perform better in interviews. When candidates are well prepared, they can provide more thoughtful and relevant answers, which makes a positive impression on the interviewer.
Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Interviews can be stressful for candidates, especially if they don't know what to expect. Providing training materials helps reduce anxiety by giving candidates a better understanding of the interview process, the company's expectations, and the types of questions they might be asked. This is an important factor for a positive applicant experience!
Greater fairness and equal opportunity: Interview preparation levels the playing field by ensuring all applicants have access to the same resources. This promotes fairness and equal opportunities and enables applicants to present their skills and competencies on an equal basis.
The interview landscape is changing. What was once considered stressful, fact-promoting, questioning conversations has evolved far beyond that. The best interviews create an atmosphere in which candidates can thrive. By investing in interview preparation, companies demonstrate their commitment to supporting candidates throughout the hiring process and provide a positive and equal impression. This can be a key differentiator, especially in this crowded market where candidate experience is worth its weight in gold!
Did you know that IceHrm recruitment module lets you schedule interviews with candidates with just a few clicks?
