6 Keys to Hiring & Holding onto the Best!
We hear a lot about the Candidate Experience and how important it is to retain top talent, but everyone has a different idea of its impact, as well as when exactly it starts, and when it ends.
In my 20+ years of Recruiting and Consulting experience, the most successful companies believe the candidate experience begins from the first application and conversation and carries all the way through onboarding and the first few weeks of work.
Below, I will share what it means to provide a fantastic candidate experience, why persistence into their first few weeks matters so much, and how all of it directly impacts your ability to retain the best of the best.
Put yourself in their shoes; Empathy is everything
Do you remember job searching? Do you remember the black hole after applying and not hearing anything, or interviewing and then not hearing back for days or weeks? I bet you felt scared and uncertain and then as time went on, frustration and even disrespected at times…
Now think about the time you experienced something better, something HUMAN when the Recruiter and hiring team had an open-door policy, keeping in touch with you and inviting your check-ins. How much more excited and invested did you become because of that level of care and communication?
BE the exceptional hiring team that never forgets to see and feel the hiring process from the candidate’s point of view.
You’re setting the tone for your entire working relationship.
Responsiveness & Clarity
Follow up and keep in touch with all updates, feedback and communication. Even if you don’t have a clear answer to check in questions, communicate what you can. When there are candidates who are much more qualified than others, let the candidates who are less qualified for your role know so they can move forward with their other viable job openings, and so you can potentially consider them for other roles now or in the future.
Having clarity on where you stand as a candidate is such a gift.
Mutual job search transparency takes mutual respect
True relationship building starts from the very first interaction. Be clear in each step of the process and follow through with your communication to create a foundation of mutual trust and respect. When you openly share what candidates can expect at every stage, you not only empower them, but also lay the groundwork for a collaborative and positive working relationship.
Remember: your recruitment journey may have just begun, but your viable candidates may be well into their search, making transparent communication crucial.
Be prepared
Preparation is the cornerstone of success in any endeavor, and the interview process is no exception. Fully prep your team for interviews:
- Select your trusted team members
- Outline the stages within your interview process
- Pre-select and assign relevant interview questions for each member of your hiring team each step of the way
- Debrief after every interview for internal alignment
Subsequent and/or panel interviews need to be strategically planned to ensure that you gather all necessary information and effectively resolve any concerns or gaps in qualifications for each finalist.
A well-outlined interview process and a fully aligned hiring team not only reflects positively on your company but also instills confidence in the hiring team and the candidate.
Streamline your offer process
You’ve found your person? Fantastic! Now it’s time to show them how easy it is to work with you – efficiency is the heartbeat of successful talent acquisition after all.
- Ensure that everyone involved in the hiring process understands their role in the process
- Get the offer approved promptly
- Communicate clearly with your chosen candidate about the offer and subsequent steps required from each party (ie. background check authorization, retirement and benefits information, NDA, Drug Screen, etc)
A verbal offer followed by a digital offer process with e-signature for express acceptance keeps things rolling smoothly and minimizes confusion.
Consistent messaging from HR, Talent Acquisition, and the Hiring Manager is crucial for a seamless transition from offer to onboarding, so be sure everyone is on the same page.
This is the most fragile moment in the recruitment and must be handled with vigilance and grace.
Have a Buddy System
Onboarding is a critical phase for any new hire, and having a Buddy System in place can make all the difference in ensuring your person feels a sense of belonging and support.
A great buddy system includes an Onboarding/HR contact, a Peer Buddy, and Leader Buddy. Bonus points if you provide them with some FAQ’s and a list of “Who to Call When…” so they know what to do and where to go when they need assistance.
Pre-scheduled check-ins during the initial weeks foster a smooth onboarding process, and provides your new team members with a platform to voice questions and concerns, and ensures there aren’t any gaps in training.
This personalized approach to onboarding establishes a strong connection and contributes to a positive and lasting relationship.
Creating a safe environment
Bottom line, it’s much easier hiring top talent when your name name in the marketplace conveys empathy from the first call, through the multiple interviews, hopefully offers… and even through the hardest conversations; having to let someone out of the process because of better qualified candidates, but shares high hopes for matches to future opportunities.
It goes a long way when your company clearly understands the gap between being offered the role and your first day, as well as the support needed during the first weeks while you build confidence and relationships.
Demonstrating a commitment to caring for your team from the very beginning sends a powerful message that your company is human-centric, with a leadership team who is invested in individual and team success.
A depth of care like this tells people that it’s okay for them to care too and fosters a reciprocal environment of dedication, loyalty, and trust for the long-term. Win-win!
Here at SHINE, we’re not just dedicated to providing the best candidate experience, we’re committed to enhancing your recruitment processes and elevating your talent and retention strategies to create winning teams. We believe in treating every client and candidate with honesty, compassion & a touch of fun. Our success lies in our close partnerships and a commitment to the “Golden Rule”.
Reach out today to discover how we can help you stay competitive in the hiring landscape while staying true to your core values.
