How to Establish Personal Connections with Your Job Candidates
Posted April 5th, 2018
As companies continue to rely more heavily on technology to increase the efficiency of their hiring processes, the process itself has become less personal. Text-based vacancy announcements, automated email replies to applications, and similar forms of communication aren’t ideal for building connections with candidates. In fact, they can make your organization seem like a faceless entity, depersonalizing the entire experience.
If you’re interested in establishing personal connections with your job candidates, you need to go the extra mile. Here’s how to get started.
Make Video Your Ally
In comparison to the written word, video can be much more impactful and significantly more personal, even if the content isn’t directed at a single job seeker.
But how do you integrate video into your hiring process?
Luckily, there are a few approaches that can be particularly effective. For example, create a video-based job ad that you can share on social media or post to websites. Or, instead of using regular phone interviews for initial screening, consider a video call.
Showcase Your Company Culture
A company’s culture can be a significant differentiator and provides a range of points that can help establish a personal connection between your business and job candidates. However, information about your company culture needs to be accessible for this to work.
To get started, make sure your organization’s mission and values are displayed on your website or social media pages. Use blog posts, images, or videos to discuss key aspects online. You can also encourage your current employees to share details about why they like working for your company through whatever channel makes them comfortable.
Focus on Communication
The majority of job seekers become frustrated when they submit an application only for it to seemingly disappear into a black hole. Without strong communication, candidates won’t remain engaged throughout the process, harming the personal connection you are trying to establish.
In the end, the easiest way to avoid this situation is to focus on communication. Reach out to applicants to let them know about any relevant next steps or when they can expect an update about their candidacy. Respond to questions that are asked and let them know if there are any unexpected delays.
By keeping the lines of communication open, its easier to engage with candidates and keep them interested throughout the hiring process, increasing the odds of forging a personal connection with talented job seekers.
Cumulatively, the tips above can make it significantly easier to connect with candidates in a meaningful way, sustaining their interest in being selected for the current vacancy or other available roles in the future. If you are interested in learning more or are hoping to locate top talent for your open positions, the skilled professionals at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our experienced team members today and see how our services can facilitate meaningful connections with your job candidates throughout the hiring process.
