Editor’s Note
Debbie Bolla
Executive Editor
Mark my words: 2014 is going to be the year of the candidate. Recently released research from CareerBuilder finds that 21 percent of full-time employees are on the market to land new jobs this year. This is the largest amount in the post-recession era—up from 17 percent in 2013—reports the survey. Workers are bullish: What does this mean for HR?
It’s the perfect time to take a hard look at how your organization approaches the candidate experience. As another CareerBuilder survey found, 26 percent of workers have endured a poor experience during the hiring process. Do you get back to candidates after receiving their applications? After the initial interview? And when they are no longer part of the process? Do you have a long lag time between steps? Are your job descriptions inaccurate? If so, you fall victim to one of the many common culprits of a bad experience.
We feel one of the most impactful trends in human capital management for 2014 is the profound effects of a great candidate experience. And at HRO Today, we plan to cover it in every issue at all angles.
In Joining Forces, we explore the benefits of integrating HR technology—like an applicant tracking system (ATS)—with the background screening process. For the candidate, it comes down to something as simple as: the less repetitive paperwork, the better. Tom Boyle, director of product strategy and talent acquisition for SilkRoad, explains: “Without integration, candidates may be asked to provide their information multiple times, which can increase their frustration and lower their perception of the talent brand, potentially causing them to drop off the application process. Integrating background screening into an ATS makes for a seamless candidate experience, where candidates can authorize data collection within the ATS, which is then passed directly to the background check vendor.”
Todd Owens, president and COO of TalentWise, also points out that integration can increase visibility, assist in candidate services, and tailor the experience. Find out more in Keys to the Candidate Experience.
Another step in catering to candidates is upping your mobile recruiting strategy. Today’s candidates want it: Research from Simply Hired finds that 70 percent of all job seekers use their mobile device to search for jobs; 84 percent believe that employers should have mobile friendly sites; and 85 percent would apply from a mobile device if they could. Two C-suite experts—Byrne Mulrooney, CEO of Futurestep, and James Beriker, president and CEO of Simply Hired—advise that what previously seemed like hype will, in 2014, actually deliver the goods. It’s time to budget for a strategy. Gain valuable advice on how to do so in Don’t Fall Behind.
HR begins this year with great promise. Great company performance in candidate experience will only help you excel.
Editor’s Note: Hail to the Candidate
