The Candidate Journey: Best Practices

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The candidate journey is the process through which a candidate becomes aware of, engages with, and interacts with a company and decides to apply. The journey can vary for each candidate, and Skywalk Group strives to provide a positive and seamless experience at each step to attract and retain candidates. 

Best Practices for Each Phase of the Candidate Journey  

Phase #1 – Pre-Application Phase 

Reply to candidates who: 

• Subscribe to receive career-related alerts 

• Hiring Inquiries 

• Continually thank them for their interest and direct them to continue to look at job opportunities on your job page. 

 Phase #2 – Application Phase 

• Within 24-48 hours respond to the candidate thanking them for their interest and ask about availability for a follow-up conversation.  

• Ask their preference in communicating, via phone, email, text, or social media. 

• Schedule the follow-up within one week of candidate interest.

Phase #3 – Change in Status 

• Notify candidates whenever the status changes.

• Maintain transparency even when waiting on updates from clients or candidates

• Provide a status update to internal leads for “HOT” candidates. 

Phase #4 – Submits & Interviews 

• Set the expectation that candidates should communicate changes in interest or other interviews.

• Request a commitment to follow through with the process.

• Maintain transparency in communication.

Phase #5 – Post-Application 

• ALWAYS tell candidates once you've made a decision - whether it is a job offer or a rejection.  

• Prioritize closing the loop to maintain a positive employer brand.

• Enhance the likelihood of future collaborations through respectful closure.

A candidate's journey shapes the outcome of your hiring results. At Skywalk Group, we have established best practices and expectations regarding how our recruiting teams communicate and interact with candidates. If you are struggling with your candidate journey or your recruiting process, contact us today to enhance your hiring results.

Your path to exceptional recruitment begins here.   

By: Jennetta Williams