The job market has dramatically shifted in the digital age, especially since Covid-19. Online applications, automated screening tools and virtual interviews have, without question, brought efficiency to the hiring process. In this drive for optimization, have we inadvertently lost something crucial: the human element?

How often do talented individuals feel their carefully crafted résumés vanish into a digital void, their aspirations reduced to keywords, ultimately eroding their dignity and respect? The feeling of being a cog in the machine is widespread, especially when being ghosted after an interview is becoming a common experience. While navigating my own career transition, I saw just how impersonal the process can be and attended job seeker workshops where others expressed similar frustrations.

When people invest substantial time and emotional energy into job applications, the absence of personalized feedback or even simple acknowledgment can be deeply disheartening. According to Greenhouse's 2024 State of Job Hunting report, 79% of U.S. job seekers, particularly Gen-Z, feel anxious about the market. This harms both the candidate's experience and employers' reputations.

It's time for organizations to consciously bring back humanity into the hiring process and recognize the unique person and story behind every application. By making this shift, you can showcase your company culture from the beginning and shape how your brand is remembered by all candidates.

3 Ways To Humanize The Hiring Process

Recruitment shouldn’t feel transactional. To establish a human-centered approach, build your hiring practices around three key pillars: transparency, respect and genuine engagement.

1. Transparency

Transparency should be foundational to the entire hiring process. It shows respect for candidates' time and empowers them to make informed decisions. Being clear and open also builds trust, promotes fairness, reduces anxiety and ensures expectations are aligned from the start.

‍

Read the full article here.