Improve Candidate Engagement With These 7 Best Strategies

There are several reasons why you should focus on candidate engagement. First, it can create a positive candidate experience, which can enhance your organization’s employer brand and attract top talent. Second, you can have a better understanding of a candidate’s skills and fit for the role and the company culture. This can lead to more informed hiring decisions and potentially reduce turnover. Lastly, maintaining engagement can keep candidates interested in the role and the company, reducing the likelihood of them accepting offers elsewhere. Therefore, focusing on candidate engagement can lead to more successful hiring outcomes and contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Candidate Engagement Metrics

Now, to effectively measure and improve candidate engagement, there are several key metrics that you need to consider. These metrics will give you valuable insights into the effectiveness of your recruitment process and identify areas for improvement. Let us take a look at them:

Factors that Negatively Impact Candidate Engagement

Several factors can negatively impact candidate engagement during the hiring process. One of the primary factors is a lengthy or complicated application process. If candidates find the process to be too time-consuming or difficult to navigate, they may lose interest and abandon the application. Similarly, poor communication from the hiring team can lead to disengagement. Candidates expect timely updates about their application status and any next steps. If they are left in the dark for too long, they may feel undervalued and lose interest in the role.

Another factor is the lack of personalization in the recruitment process. Candidates want to feel that they are more than just a number. If the process feels too impersonal or generic, candidates may not feel a strong connection to the organization. Additionally, inflexible interview scheduling can also deter candidates. If candidates struggle to find a suitable time for interviews due to rigid scheduling, it can create a negative experience. Therefore, it’s crucial for hiring professionals to be aware of these factors and strive to create a more engaging and candidate-friendly hiring process.

To tackle the lengthy application process, you can use Manatal’s branded career page to design custom application forms tailored to each vacancy. This way, candidates can apply easily and quickly without having to fill out redundant or irrelevant information. Then you can integrate your calendar and mailboxes with the platform to optimize time management and send timely updates to candidates. You can invite hiring managers to participate in the recruitment process, which in turn enables candidates to stay informed and engaged throughout the hiring journey.

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7 Best Strategies to Improve Candidate Engagement

Streamline the Recruitment Process

Streamlining the process by removing unnecessary steps or paperwork can make it easier for candidates to apply and increase their desire to stay engaged. The easiest and most efficient way is using a tool like Applicant Tracking System or ATS like Manatal to automate certain parts of the process, such as resume screening or scheduling interviews. Additionally, providing a clear timeline of the process and what to expect can help candidates stay engaged and invested in the opportunity.

Provide Feedback

Providing feedback, even if it's negative, can help them understand where they stand and what they need to improve and can increase their engagement and interest in the company. Just provide timely and specific feedback after each stage of the process and offer constructive criticism and advice for improvement.

One of the Manatal features that you can use is the mass email tool. This tool allows you to create and send personalized and automated emails to candidates at different stages of the hiring process, such as application confirmation, interview invitation, rejection notification, and offer letter. By using this tool, you can communicate effectively with candidates and provide them with timely and specific feedback that can help them improve and stay interested in the company.

Offer Clear Job Descriptions

Job descriptions that are vague or misleading can lead to confusion and frustration for candidates. Offering clear and detailed job descriptions can help them understand the role and requirements and increase their interest in the position. Collaborate with hiring managers to create comprehensive job descriptions that accurately reflect the duties and responsibilities of the role, as well as the qualifications and experience required.

You can also use Manatal’s AI-powered job description generator, allowing you to create engaging and optimized job briefs in minutes. Then you can customize them with your branding, keywords, and requirements to attract more qualified and interested candidates.

Marketing the Job Openings

First and foremost, you need to optimize your job postings with relevant keywords and phrases to improve visibility on job boards and search engine results. Additionally, you can leverage social media platforms to promote job openings and engage with potential candidates. Posting engaging content, such as employee testimonials and company culture videos, can help create a more compelling and attractive job listing as well as attract top talent.

You can also engage with passive candidates by building relationships through networking events, industry conferences, and online communities. By implementing these strategies, recruiters can effectively market their vacancies and improve candidate engagement, ultimately leading to a stronger pool of qualified applicants for their positions.

Use Video Interviews

Video interviews are becoming popular in the recruitment process. They offer a more personal and interactive experience than phone interviews and can help candidates feel more engaged and invested in the company and the position.

Using video conferencing software or platforms specifically designed for video interviews and providing clear instructions and expectations for the interview process would be a way to go.

Keep In Touch with Candidates

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging candidates. According to research by LinkedIn, 86% of job seekers look for new job opportunities on social media, while 73% of job seekers between the ages of 18 and 34 landed themselves on their last jobs via social media.

Posting job openings, company updates, and employee testimonials can help candidates feel connected to the company and increase their desire to apply and stay engaged.

This can be done by creating a social media strategy that includes regular posts about job opportunities, company culture, and employee stories and engaging with candidates who interact with the company on social media.

Offer Employee Referrals

Employee referrals are a great way to engage candidates and increase retention rates. Offering incentives for referrals, such as bonuses or promotions, can encourage current employees to refer qualified candidates and increase their engagement and investment in the company.

You can start by creating a referral program that includes clear guidelines and rewards for successful referrals and promoting it to current employees through internal communication channels.

Conclusion

By implementing the ten strategies above, companies can improve candidate engagement and increase retention rates, leading to a more loyal and invested workforce.

These strategies can help create a positive impression of the company and increase candidates' interest and investment in the opportunity, leading to higher retention rates, increased productivity, and ultimately driving business growth.

Also, don't forget that retaining top talent is critical to a company's success at the end of the day. So, it's essential to invest time and resources into engaging candidates throughout the recruitment process and beyond. By doing so, you'll be able to create a positive company culture and attract and retain top talent with ease.