Customer care and its effects on your business’ reputation

The importance of getting back to candidates

One of the most important things a business can do in the hiring process, is to have strong communication with candidates throughout the recruitment process.

In the recruitment world, I hear from candidates far too often “you are the first person to get back to me”. This could be the 20th application they have made, and the first communication they have received from a Recruiter or Hiring Manager. Studies show that 40% of candidates never receive a response to their job application. Whether they are suitable for the role or not, not getting back to candidates should not be the norm – it should be the absolute least we can do. Remember, it would have taken the candidate longer to apply for the role than it will take you to get back to them and you may not realise how damaging the lack of communication or response can be to your business’s reputation too, especially with Social Media being so prevalent.

Seek NZ has recently released an article stating that four in five New Zealanders (83%) who never heard back felt more negative towards the company and two-thirds (75%) said they were unlikely to apply for another job at the company in the future as a result.

You may feel you are too busy to pick up the phone, or send the email, especially when you are being inundated with applications however remember the next time you are looking at hiring, that communication with the applicants is a sure-fire way to build a solid reputation and a positive view of your business and brand.

If you are looking to hire or want some advice around the correct processes to follow when recruiting, and having those difficult conversations when declining a candidate, get in touch today with our Recruitment Partner Amy on 0800 HR FOR U.

Amy South

Recruitment Partner