The CEB Global Assessment Trends Report for 2014 is based on a survey of more than 1,400 HR practitioners. It suggests that 70% understand the importance of a positive candidate experience during the recruitment process, but many are not taking proactive steps to ensure it is happening.
Almost two-thirds (64%) of those questioned said hiring candidates will become more difficult in the next 12 months, and 65% indicated external recruitment would be their main priority over the same period.
The findings suggested HR is not showing strategic leadership in recruitment and candidate experience, despite respondents generally seeing the function as improving in that area. Almost three-quarters (73%) viewed HR as a strategic function in 2014, up from 66% in 2013.
Ken Lahti, VP of product development and innovation at CEB, believes employers’ lack of focus on candidate experience is creating “a gulf between their beliefs and actions”.
“Whether employers like it or not, the hiring process is a powerful marketing tool and has the potential to influence candidates and future customers alike,” he said.
“Unless companies invest in actively monitoring candidate experience and improving their hiring processes, the candidates they approach today may negatively influence the people they want to attract tomorrow. A poor reputation can stifle the talent pipeline for the future.”
