3 Companies with Winning Candidate Experiences

Talent Board, the non-profit dedicated to promoting real, hardy research on companies with award-winning candidate experiences, recently released their list of 50 companies demonstrating candidate experience excellence.

Winners were determined based on a blind data analysis of their candidate survey scores. Candidate responses varied between “likely to apply again” to “likely to refer a friend.” In order to qualify, parameters for a limit on candidate response were set and respondents who were not hired had to exceed a certain standard. These strict standards stand tall above any other form of candidate experience measurements.

HR leaders are all twisted in a knot trying to figure out true, winning candidate experience. The true reason you haven’t nailed it yet is there is no true #1, almighty answer for candidate experience. However, the 50 companies that made the winners list are doing something right. Below are three companies that stood out to us and what they makes their candidate experience unique.

1. Facebook takes its time and gives candidates the chance to speak with employees at various levels at the company

HR leaders today more than ever have been talking about how we can shorten the time-to-hire, but Facebook’s interview process says otherwise. After three interviews, each lasting between 30-60 minutes, the a Facebook operations engineer candidate said,

“Multiple interviews can give you a chance to interview with a mix of people who you may be working with including a recruiter, an HR person, various team members, top executives and in some cases the CEO. While it can be tiring to go through interview after interview, it’s a good opportunity for a candidate to interview the company to determine if the job opportunity is going to be a good fit.”

Candidates can scour for interview feedback, social pages, press releases and more to dig up some dirt on a company, but nothing reveals more insight than speaking with several levels of professionals. Give candidates a diverse view of your company during the interview process.

At Red Branch, we have four levels incorporated into our hiring process to keep the candidate engaged and informed of our culture, values, and processes. Layers include:

1. Layer one: Have candidates call into our conference line to test their basic technical skills.
2. Layer two: At the end of the first phone interview, put the ball in their court by giving them an assignment with specific instructions and a deadline to see if they can follow simple orders and engage with you.
3. Layer three: Have candidates visit the RBM Headquarters for an in-person interview with yours truly and the department head for the position they’re applying for.
4. Layer four: Introduce the candidate to the team so they can put names to faces.

This “layer” system tests candidates on skills and ability to follow instructions and get engaged with me so the engagement part of the hiring process isn’t all on the recruiter. The way a candidate reacts to an assignment or deadline says a lot more than a resume.

2. Bozzuto Group makes its interview process completely transparent 

Whether you’re conducting them or on the other side of the table asking for a job, interviews are just, awkward. Why? For the candidate, it’s the anticipation. The ‘what ifs’ clouding over their head the night before. For the interviewer, it’s playing 20 questions in their head of what if they ask compensation and benefits questions, how genuine are their answers, are they secretly crazy?

To eliminate some of the pressure, Bozzuto Group is completely transparent about their interviewing process. No guessing. On their careers page, candidates are able to see a complete overview of their hiring process including interview tips, what kind of development opportunities are available, benefits and internships being offered, highlights of veteran and military employees and employee testimony videos.

Maybe you’re not ready to offer the whole enchilada, but you can start by giving some of these preparatory fields in your job descriptions or introductions if you reach out to candidates before any of the interviews start.

Do you know what happens when you’re misleading to candidates? They’re more prone to dissatisfaction and disappointment after being lied to during that entire hiring process.

Jennifer Terry-Tharp, Executive Director of Talent Acquisition at AT&T said, “Candidates are consumers. Give them a great experience that supports your business and your employer brand.”

Want to see who else is rocking the candidate experience? Check out the original post on LinkedIn Talent Blog!

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.