March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021
In anticipation of The CandEs Conference: A New Hope for Hiring in 2021, RNN is pleased to present the series "CandE Research Takeaways"
Bravo, employers!
According to data from Talent Board’s 2020 Benchmark Research Report, more of you are embracing a practice that defines some of the world’s most successful candidate experiences: letting candidates know where they stand during the recruiting process. However, the data also show there’s still plenty of progress to be made.
Here are a few key statistics from the Report:
Application
Screen & Interview
Offer & Onboarding
Is It Worth the Effort?
You probably tell employees where they stand on a fairly regular basis (via performance reviews, one-on-ones with managers, coaching sessions, etc.) because your company reaps some very definite benefits in return, including improved performance, higher engagement, and greater levels of trust and satisfaction.
Well, you get the same benefits from letting candidates know where they stand throughout your recruiting process. Their engagement with and trust in your employment brand rises, as do their satisfaction levels regarding your process—even when you’re letting them know they’re no longer being considered for a job. That’s how powerful simple, timely communication can be.
There’s a flip side to this coin, too: failing to update candidates on their status can inflict real damage to your employment brand. Your silence, which is often perceived as indifference or outright disdain, can convince people to drop out of your process, reduce or sever their relationship with you (a double whammy for consumer brands), and write negative reviews about you across professional networks, review sites, and social media. Although you don’t want every candidate to stay in your pipeline, the damage that silence inflicts on your employment brand isn’t worth the risk.
In short, let candidates know where they stand. They’ll appreciate it and you’ll benefit from it.
In my next post, I’ll focus on the structure and fairness of the interview process. As always, if you’re interested in participating in our 2021 CandE benchmark research program, click here.