We all hear about the frustration job seekers feel when they submit their job application online and never hear another word.  But how much does this damage your brand? Here is some really good advice from a contributor from Edmonton.

The cost of a bad experience – by Shane Calder

(Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash)

“In 2015, Virgin Media received approximately 150,000 job applications, translating into 3,500 new hires. The company estimated that 27,000 (18%) of those applicants were also customers—and that poor candidate experiences led 7416 of those applicant customers to churn from Virgin Media.”

Bad experience costs you?

Virgin Media lost 6 million dollars in revenue as a result of their candidates experience.

(Photo by Robin Worrall on Unsplash)

How is it costing your company?

It’s simple.  It’s negatively impacting your brand.

“Nearly 60% of Job Seekers have had a poor candidate experience & 72% talk about it.”

Candidates want to be contacted with progress of their application. 80% of applicants are discouraged to reapply if they received no feedback. Poor experience can be detrimental to your candidate search and your company’s online reputation. Candidates actually value knowing about the status of their application more than a polished website or a well-designed careers page.

Source: https://workplacetrends.com/candidate-experience-study/

Technology Woes 

(Photo by Adam Birkett on Unsplash)

Have you lost the personal touch?

Candidates who were unsuccessful in a job application doubt a person even reviewed their application. If 85% of the applicants who apply to a job posting doubt that it was ever reviewed by an actual person, imagine the negative impact on your brand and how you are viewed. Will this activity help attract talent?

Add the personal touch.

Augment your resources. Don’t remove your HR professionals from the conversation.  Build a rapport with your candidates. Use emails, live chats and social media.

Source: https://www.thetalentboard.org/cande-awards/cande-research-reports/

Rejected offers

(Photo by Ian Tuck on Unsplash)

In the IBM white paper “The far reaching impact of candidate experience” it was discovered that if a candidate has a good experience there is a 54% chance they will accept an offer. If the experience was a disappointment only 39% would accept an offer of employment. Candidates with a positive experience are 2 times more likely to become a customer. The candidate experience is your company’s opportunity to build brand advocates even if no offer is given.

Source: https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/YMOARJJG

Social License To Operate

Photo by Nicole Honeywill on Unsplash

The candidate experience impacts your company and is an opportunity to showcase your company. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to improve the experience. The rewards of increased revenue, reduced costs, advocates and finding good talent are within your control.

Treat job candidates well, give them a great experience and you will be rewarded.

Shane Calder is Principal, 132 ENG Inc.  He can be reached at [email protected]

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