Background checks, behavioral/job related assessments, and multiple interviews all help ensure employers hire the right person, but also increase the amount of time the candidate is left waiting for a decision.
The average time to fill a position across all industries and employers in the United States is 42 days, according to Industry Today. Other studies report an average of 27 working days.
This long waiting period can leave candidates feeling uncertain, or even worse, give them the opportunity to accept an offer from another company. Don’t lose out on your best potential employees and learn how to keep candidates actively engaged until a hiring decision can be made.
Respond Promptly and Reach Out Frequently
Constant communication with potential candidates during the hiring process is a key part of keeping them engaged. When a candidate reaches out about next steps or with questions about the process, make sure to respond to them quickly and honestly. If you know that a background check typically takes 3 days to be completed, let them know this and give them a date for the time next time you will reach out to them. On the other hand, if a candidate is not reaching out directly, then it’s your responsibility to keep them informed about what’s going on during the process. Even if you don’t have any new information to share, it’s still important to call or email the candidate to check in and ask how they’re doing. Candidates will appreciate being updated and not left in the dark.
Sell Your Company and the Position
Another way to keep candidates engaged is to provide them with value-added information. Direct them to interesting articles, news about your organization, or even employee testimonials about the benefits of working at your company. For example, if your company is in the sustainable energy industry, email the candidate an article about how this is a growing and an innovative industry to work in. Even if you don’t have any news about a decision, you can still have a reason to reach out to the candidate and keep them engaged. These value-added emails can be automated, but don’t forget to make them look personalized.
Have a Conversation
Don’t be afraid to have an open conversation with candidates and ask them whether or not they’re in the hiring process with any other companies at that time. Most candidates will answer this question honestly and it will help you understand their motivations and what they’re thinking. It will also indicate to the candidate that you’re interested in pursuing them. If candidates answer that they are interviewing with other companies, then it’s all the more reason to keep them actively engaged.
Today’s top candidates have many options when it comes to finding a new position and aren’t going to wait around for a decision from a company that is proactive with communications. If you find a candidate who has all the requirements and skills you’re looking for, don’t hold out to see if someone better comes along. Keep candidates engaged while a decision is being made or else risk losing out on your next best employee.
