Interviews Conveying A Window Into Company Culture
Sometimes we get so hung up on finding a candidate that fills our needs that we forget to consider what the candidate needs from us. Research has shown that candidates are looking for more than just a salary, and the interview process is how they begin to feel out what your organization has to offer aside from a paycheck. The number one item on the list is finding a company with a positive culture that is welcoming and encouraging. So what does your interview process tell candidates about you?
Poor Communication
Perhaps the biggest complaint we hear from candidates at any level is a lack of communication from the companies they apply to. Failing to acknowledge that their application was received is a big red flag. In fact, candidates would much rather have you call and tell them that you cannot accept their application at the moment than be left in the dark for months wondering if or when they will ever get a phone call.
Another big red flag is getting a phone call about a position months after the application was submitted with no contact in between. For a motivated employee, a lot can change in three or six months. They may have already accepted a new position or experienced a major life change that renders your position no longer relevant to them. If you wait this long to call back, the candidate assumes that they are a last resort for you, or that your organization is so disorganized that everything runs at a snail’s pace. Even if they decide to show up for a first interview, they are expecting (and dreading) a drawn out vetting period.
Lack of Feedback
Motivated candidates want feedback on their interviews and resume. If a candidate asks for feedback and you send out a bland form letter without any specifics, they will take note. This tells candidates that your interviewing team is too distracted to even remember some of the details during these interactions. No candidate wants to join an enterprise that is too busy, overloaded or distracted to appreciate the people who keep the gears moving.
When it comes to interviewing for a position, remember that your candidate has a wish list just like you do. The interview is a two-way street that tells them what they can expect.
