While it may be true that there is an abundance of job seekers out there and you are likely to have a multitude of applicants for a single position, it is also true that you, as an employer, are responsible for meeting those applicants at least halfway when it comes to enthusiasm and interest. If you care about finding the right fit, then you simply must care about making your job candidates feel welcome. Here are some things to consider:
Candidates are customers, too. You should remember this anytime you screen applicants for a position. Even if you don’t end up hiring someone, that person could very well affect your business reputation down the line. Don’t forget that job seekers share information.If you don’t treat your job candidates well, then the word could spread that you are an unsavory establishment. Not only could this make it difficult for you to find high-quality candidates in the future, but it could also deter other businesses (perhaps those that pick of the employees you reject) from working with you. Also–and perhaps most importantly–many of your job applicants are also your customers. If you wouldn’t treat a customer a certain way, then you shouldn’t treat a job applicant that way.
Think like a marketer. The secret to being a successful hiring agent is to think like a marketer. When you post a job opening and screen applicants, you have an opportunity to represent your business in a unique way. As you well know, branding is central to marketing; therefore, as a hirer, you should have an employer brand in mind. How do you want to be seen–not as a business, but as an employer? Now’s the time to seriously consider your company culture, as well as what you have to offer your employees. Use this information to brand yourself as an employer worth working for.
Techniques for making candidates feel welcome. So, now that you understand the importance of your disposition as an employer, you need to know how to do it. Fortunately, there are some great resources out there to help you build your employer brand. Make use of social networks like Facebook and Twitter to engage your applicants and develop a community around your human resources efforts. Also, be sure to give each applicant personalized attention. While you may not have time to call each applicant individually, you can make use of mass emailing services or your applicant tracking system to reply to applications in a timely manner, and also to update candidates on the status of the opening. Lastly, and most obviously, be nice. Sometimes it really is just that simple.
Are you making your job candidates feel welcome? If not, then you are missing out on a big opportunity to brand your business, and you might even be hurting your future success. Keep these things in mind the next time you set out to hire new employees.