5 Things Job Seekers Want to See

In the complex dance of job hunting, where candidates must tiptoe through a maze of opportunities, even the earliest encounter with a potential employer sets the rhythm for the entire journey. From the first glance at your job listing to the pivotal moments of the interview process, certain elements shine as beacons of appeal for those in pursuit of more than just a 9-to-5. 

After the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear that job seekers aren’t just chasing a paycheck. Expectations today pivot toward more than just the role itself, and every step of the process is meaningful. They are looking for career advancement, greater flexibility, better company culture and authentic leadership. 

Let’s unpack the key elements that top the wish list for talent today.

1. A tailored, pleasant candidate experience

Going through multiple rounds of interviews, assessments and résumé revamps is exhausting for a job seeker. It’s sadly common for candidates to be ghosted, subjected to poorly managed processes and worse. It’s unfair, and ultimately, a waste of everyone’s time. 

When communication between the company and the applicant is personalized, clear and quick, and when information is easy to find, it sets a very positive tone. Candidates appreciate being treated with respect, and a little bit of kindness goes a long way, too. 

2. An application process that is seamless

When you post an open job online, apply to it yourself. Is your career portal mobile optimized for applicants on the go? How long does it take to complete the application? 

Slow processes, a lack of transparency and poor communication will hurt your talent acquisition efforts. Candidates want to feel seen and have their efforts valued by a potential employer. If the application process is too complicated or takes too long to complete, then you might be losing talented job seekers.

3. Easy to schedule interviews with critical team members

I recently said to a colleague, “We’re all out of time.” Being mindful of this, it’s important to be thoughtful and fair when scheduling interviews with candidates. 

Also, only include critical team members (i.e., key decision makers) in the process, and make sure that they are trained on conducting inclusive and targeted interviews. This will create a better overall experience both for the applicant and for the internal hiring team. 

4. Flexibility across the board

In our post-pandemic working world, flexibility is still top of mind to job seekers. Flexibility in terms of where we work, for sure (i.e., on-site, virtual, or hybrid), but also flexibility on where and how interviews are conducted. If someone is working full time, then stepping away for interviews that will last for a few hours might not be possible during the workday. 

Utilize virtual interviews when possible and consider reserving in-person meetings for the last round. Virtual interviews are a time and cost saver for everyone, and they can create more inclusivity and diversity in your talent pool. 

5. Clear feedback at each stage of the process, from application to hire

This tip is directed at the person (most likely the talent acquisition lead, human resources executive or recruiter) who is primarily responsible for candidate communications.

It’s so important to follow up with candidates after every completed step in an interview process, to gather and deliver feedback, to provide updates on timing and to offer a sense of what might be next if they are selected to advance in consideration. If they’re not selected to move forward, then this is still valuable. You have still fostered a positive experience, built a strong relationship and represented your organization in the best possible light. 

Encourage your team to focus on acknowledging and prioritizing the elements that matter most to applicants. Be it transparent communication, a glimpse into company culture or opportunities for growth, employers will improve their hiring processes and increase their ability to attract the top talent out there. 

Here’s to more interviews that feel like conversations, opportunities that spark excitement and career paths that leave everyone saying, “This is where I want to be.”