The importance of transparency throughout the interview process

The lack of information about a vacant position is one of the top grievances that job seekers continue to give when going through the recruitment process. What is the workload like? What salary is on offer? Why did the last person leave? What flexible work arrangements do they have? How many interviews are there going to be?

The more details that are given earlier on, the more realistic expectations the candidate is going to have. Interviews are a two-way street and is therefore the best place to portray what the company culture is really like as well as giving an honest insight into the position on offer. There are some practices to adopt throughout the recruitment process that will foster transparency and honesty.

Clearly state the recruitment timeline

Job searching can seem like a full-time job and attending interviews is one of the main activities associated with it. Candidates want to know how long each step of the recruitment process will take. When is the application cut off date? How many interviews will there be? How long between each interview? Being upfront about this in the beginning makes it easier for the candidate to plan and means they won’t receive any unwanted surprises when they get asked to meet for a potential third or fourth time.

Offer a glimpse into the day-to-day responsibilities

Employers and recruiters can often be guilty of crafting catchy titles for vacancies without diving too deep into what is required of the successful candidate. A serious job seeker will want to know what is required of them before they embark on the recruitment journey. In the job ad, be clear in listing what a typical day looks like. By the time the interview comes around, the candidate already has an idea of what to expect, and is educated in asking relevant questions to the tasks at hand.

Provide a salary range

Be up front about the salary from the beginning and don’t leave candidates guessing. Leaving it till the offer stage to disclose the salary is a waste of everyone’s time. Candidates are highly unlikely to be interested in a position if the salary falls under their current one. It is better to list the salary in the beginning so the candidate can make an early decision whether the role is worth pursuing.

Maintain open communication throughout the recruitment process.

Firstly, be upfront and honest with unsuccessful candidates. Let them know why they weren’t successful. Don’t leave them hanging on for news longer than they should. For candidates in the mix, let them know where you stand and what concerns you may have. As mentioned earlier, it is a two-way street and candidates should feel comfortable in addressing their concerns with you too.

By adopting these few methods will dramatically change the recruitment experience for the candidate. Being open and honest about all aspects helps the job seeker make an educated decision and helps to enhance loyalty and build trust.