Nothing puts off a top-notch HR candidate like bad hiring practices. And sadly, the world of HR is all too full of bad examples. 65% of businesses are struggling to hire at the moment, and 57% said the main block was a lack of quality applicants.
So, let’s get real for a second. Could you be guilty of putting off candidates, even by accident? How many hoops are you expecting HR professionals to jump through? Have you ever left someone hanging?
We’re here to help. It’s time to stop damaging your reputation or risk losing out on top talent. At Grace, we don’t mince our words, and we’re here to help you spot the pitfalls and show you how to create an awesome candidate experience.
Humans matter most
When you’re racing to get top HR people, one thing remains true: people matter the most. By keeping humans at the heart of recruitment, we foster respect, transparency and genuine engagement.
This also attracts the best candidates, by showcasing the working culture they can expect when they work for you. How do you do this?
Common HR hiring c*ck ups
Let’s dive in and see how many common pitfalls of bad candidate experience you might be guilty of. Then you can transform your hiring from good to great with our help.
- Ghosting. Leaving people in the dark post-interview is a no-no.
- Inflexible scheduling. Expecting candidates to drop everything for an interview shows a lack of respect.
- Impersonal communication. Generic emails and robotic responses don’t cut it.
- Lack of timely feedback. Making candidates wait weeks for feedback is unacceptable.
- Overcomplicated processes. Endless interviews and assessments are frustrating for everyone.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here are practical tips to turn your hiring process into a far better, memorably awesome experience.
Step 1 - prepare properly
Define, prepare, and communicate:
Before you post that job ad, get your ducks in a row.
- Clearly outline what each role involves. This helps set expectations for both you and the candidates.
- Know what you’re looking for in a candidate. This will speed up your decision-making process.
- Establish a clear and structured process from start to finish. This ensures fairness to everyone involved.
Step 2 - build respect into the hiring process
Show respect for everyone, throughout:
Schedule interviews while showing respect for candidates’ time.
- Be flexible. Offer multiple time slots and be willing to reschedule if needed.
- Block out time in your calendar dedicated solely to interviews. No last-minute changes!
Keep communication real and human
- Personalise your emails, because a little effort goes a long way. Use the candidate’s name and mention specific details about their application.
- Clearly outline the hiring process and what they can expect next. In other words, be transparent.
Don’t leave them hanging
- Let candidates know when they will hear back from you. Then stick to the timeframe you promised.
- Even if there’s no update, let them know you’re still considering their application.
Cut the cr*p out of your interview process
- If you can, just focus on the essentials and try to reduce the number of interview rounds.
- Be organised. Have a clear structure for each interview to avoid repetitive questions and confusion.
Make sure everyone feels valued
- Constructive feedback shows you care about their effort and helps them improve.
- Keep candidates informed at every stage of the process.
- Treat every candidate with the respect they deserve, regardless of the outcome. A simple thank-you email post-interview can make a big difference.
See, it’s not that hard to create awesome hiring practices!
And by not being a douchebag, you’ll attract top HR talent and become known as a company that values humans. Each time someone new interacts with you, it’s a chance to build an incredible reputation.
At Grace, we’re a female-owned, outspoken recruitment company that’s here to shake things up. We have 25 years of experience and don’t just fill positions; we find the right people and ensure they’re treated with the respect they deserve.
Let’s make your candidate experience one that attracts and retains the best talent.
We champion candidates and hold businesses to account, because we believe in better hiring practices. Ready to up your game? Let’s talk.