The widespread adoption of remote work has had a profound impact on the way organizations onboard and hire new employees. While remote work provides many benefits, it can also pose significant challenges for employers when it comes to providing a positive candidate experience. In this blog, we'll explore what remote candidate experience is, why it matters, and how organizations can improve it.

What is remote candidate experience?

Remote candidate experience refers to the experience that candidates have when applying for and interviewing for a job remotely. It encompasses all aspects of the hiring process, from the initial application to the final job offer. This includes interactions with the employer, the application process itself, communication during the hiring process, and the onboarding process.

Why does remote candidate experience matter?

Remote candidate experience is critical because it has a direct impact on an organization's ability to attract and retain top talent. A poor candidate experience can lead to a negative impression of the organization, which can make it difficult to attract top candidates in the future. Additionally, a poor experience can lead to a high candidate dropout rate, which can make it challenging to fill open positions.

Furthermore, remote candidate experience is an extension of an organization's employer brand. The employer brand refers to the organization's reputation as an employer and how it is perceived by current and potential employees. A poor remote candidate experience can damage the employer brand, leading to negative perceptions of the organization by current and potential employees.

Finally, a positive remote candidate experience can improve employee retention rates. Candidates who have a positive experience during the hiring process are more likely to accept a job offer and remain with the organization long-term.

10 Surprising Candidate Experience Statistics

Here are some statistics on the candidate experience:

1. According to a survey by Talent Board, 60% of candidates have had a negative candidate experience.
2. A study by CareerArc found that 72% of candidates who had a negative candidate experience shared their experience on online employer review sites, social media, and with their personal networks.
3. Another study by CareerBuilder found that 78% of candidates believe that the overall candidate experience they receive is an indicator of how a company values its people.
4. According to a survey by LinkedIn, 83% of candidates said that a negative interview experience can change their mind about a role or company they previously liked.
5. A study by Glassdoor found that a positive interview experience can increase the likelihood of a candidate accepting a job offer by 80%.
6. The same Glassdoor study found that 58% of job seekers consider a company’s reputation as an employer when considering a job offer.
7. According to a survey by Recruiterbox, 64% of candidates say that the application process is too long and complicated.
8. A study by Indeed found that 47% of candidates said that they have quit an application process because it was too long or too complicated.
9. A survey by Hired found that 83% of candidates said that a personalized interview experience is important when deciding whether to accept a job offer.
10. Finally, a study by the Brandon Hall Group found that companies that prioritize candidate experience improve their quality of hire by 70%.

How to Improve the Candidate Experience

Improving the experience of candidates in your hiring process should be a top priority. By optimizing your process, from streamlining applications to using feedback to continuously improve, you can ensure the best possible experience for your prospective hires. 

In the following, we outline the steps you should take to improve the candidate experience in your remote hiring process. 

1. Streamline the application process

The application process is the first impression that candidates have of an organization. A lengthy, complicated, or confusing application process can deter top candidates from applying for the job. To improve remote candidate experience, organizations should strive to streamline the application process as much as possible. This can be achieved by simplifying the application form, reducing the number of required fields, and providing clear instructions.

2. Communicate clearly and consistently

Communication is essential during the hiring process, especially when it comes to remote hiring. Organizations should aim to communicate clearly and consistently with candidates throughout the hiring process. This includes providing timely updates on the status of the application, scheduling interviews in advance, and responding promptly to candidate inquiries. Additionally, organizations should provide candidates with clear information about the job requirements, the organization's culture, and the expectations for the role.

3. Use technology to facilitate remote interviews

Remote interviews can be challenging, especially when it comes to assessing candidates' nonverbal communication. Organizations can improve remote candidate experience by using technology to facilitate remote interviews. This can include video conferencing tools, virtual whiteboards, and collaborative workspaces. These tools can help to simulate an in-person interview experience and make it easier for candidates to showcase their skills and personality.

4. Provide a positive onboarding experience

The onboarding process is critical to the success of a new employee, whether remote or in-person. To improve remote candidate experience, organizations should strive to provide a positive onboarding experience for new remote employees. This can include providing clear information about the organization's culture and values, providing access to remote work tools, and assigning a mentor or buddy to help new employees navigate the organization.

5. Use feedback to improve the hiring process

Finally, organizations should use feedback from candidates to improve the hiring process continually. This can include soliciting feedback from candidates after each stage of the hiring process, conducting post-hire surveys, and analyzing hiring data to identify areas for improvement. By using feedback to improve the hiring process, organizations can improve remote candidate experience and attract and retain top talent.

Conclusion

Remote candidate experience is critical to the success of any remote hiring process. As you can see, by following a number of practical steps, it is possible to ensure that your prospective candidates leave their remote interviews with the most positive perception of your company possible. 

If you would like to learn more about how RemotePass helps global companies to onboard and pay their remote teams, schedule a free demo today.