Candidate Experience – Why It Matters and How to Improve It

A hiring process that is seamless, makes all the difference when attracting and retaining top talent in a company. Every interaction which a candidate has with a company which is from the job posting in recruitment to the final offer, Shapes the perception of the organization. A positive candidate experience keeps a candidates engaged with the company, while a poor one can drive or scare them away, even if they are a perfect fit for the role that a company requires most. In Sri Lanka, where the competition for a skilled professional is increasing, companies that prioritizes candidate experience always stands out.

A smooth and a respectful recruitment journey in the company not only helps secure the best talent at the same time it also enhances the employer branding. There are key strategies that an organization uses to create an engaging and efficient hiring process.

Crystal Clear and a Transparent Job Description

A well defined job description will set the tone for the entire hiring process. A candidates should know exactly what to expect before applying for the job. Companies who provides a detailed job descriptions wich includes:

  • Specific responsibilities and their expectations

  • Salary ranges and provided benefits

  • Work arrangement plans (remote, hybrid, or onsite)

This ensures that the applicants can make an informed decision. For instance, 99x Technologies, a leading Sri Lankan IT company, includes salary ranges in job postings, which increases transparency and attracts serious applicants (99x Technologies, 2023).

A Simplified Application Process

An application process which is a lengthy and complicated completely discourages talented candidates. Many Sri Lankan companies have optimized their application portals by:

  • Enabling one-click applications via LinkedIn or job boards.

  • Reducing unnecessary fields in online forms.

  • Allowing candidates to submit video introductions instead of lengthy cover letters.

MAS Holdings, one of Sri Lanka’s largest apparel firms, introduced a mobile-friendly application system that allows candidates to apply within minutes, significantly improving completion rates (MAS Holdings, 2023).

Personalized Communication Process and On-time Updates

Most candidates value timely responses and communications. Delays or ghosting by employers will create frustration and damage to the company’s reputation. Leading Sri Lankan companies enhances candidate communication by:

  • Sending automated application confirmations immediately.

  • Providing interview timelines to the candidate upfront.

  • Following up with rejection emails and providing constructive feedback.

At Dialog Axiata, shortlisted candidates are receiving personalized interview invitations with clear next steps, reducing uncertainty and keeping them engaged (Dialog Axiata, 2023).

A Structured and Interviews that are Candidate-Friendly

An interview should be a well-organized, fair, and an engaging one. Companies improve these experiences by:

  • Providing a clear interview guideline beforehand the interview process.

  • Using structured interview questions to ensure fairness to all interviewees.

  • Offering flexible interview slots for candidates who are currently employed in other companies.

For example, Hemas Holdings schedules interviews in the evenings or weekends to accommodate working professionals, showing respect for candidates’ time (Hemas Holdings, 2023).

Virtual Hiring and Usage of Assessment Tools

With the rise of remote hiring in companies, organizations leverages digital tools to enhance their candidate experience. Their best practices includes:

  • Using chat bots with AI-powered to answer candidate queries.

  • Conducting video interviews with a flexible scheduling.

  • Offering simulations of a virtual job for a real feel of the role.

Companies like Sysco Labs use AI-driven assessments to provide a seamless evaluation process, ensuring a smooth candidate journey from application to offer (Sysco Labs, 2023).

A Positive Onboarding Experience

Once a candidate is hired to the company, the experience should not stop there. A strong onboarding process will ensure new employees feel welcomed and engaged in the organization. This includes:

  • Sending welcome kits with company swag and branding.

  • Assigning a buddy or a mentor for guidance.

  • Scheduling virtual introductions before the first day.

Virtusa in Sri Lanka ensures that new hires receive pre-boarding materials and have a dedicated onboarding coach, reducing first-day anxiety and improving retention (Virtusa, 2023).

References

99x Technologies, 2023. Enhancing Job Posting Transparency. 99x Careers Portal.

MAS Holdings, 2023. Mobile Recruitment Strategy. MAS Official Website.

Dialog Axiata, 2023. Personalized Hiring Communication. Dialog Careers Portal.

Hemas Holdings, 2023. Candidate-Centric Interview Scheduling. Hemas HR Reports.

Sysco Labs, 2023. AI-Based Hiring Assessments. Sysco Labs Official Website.

Virtusa, 2023. Digital Onboarding Excellence. Virtusa Corporate Reports.

Comments

  1. Provides guidance for navigating workplace issues April 3, 2025 at 9:46 AM

    What are the potential recruitment risks in business world?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zahran CassimApril 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM

      The business world faces several recruitment risks that can impact talent acquisition and organizational growth:

      Poor Candidate Experience – Lengthy processes or lack of communication can deter top talent, harming employer branding.

      Unconscious Bias – Subjective hiring decisions may exclude qualified candidates, reducing diversity and innovation.

      High Turnover – Misaligned job expectations or cultural misfits lead to quick attrition, increasing rehiring costs.

      Data Security Risks – Handling sensitive candidate info improperly (e.g., resumes, assessments) can breach privacy laws.

      Over-Reliance on Tech – AI-driven tools may overlook nuanced skills or perpetuate bias if not monitored.

      How to mitigate - Streamline processes, train recruiters on bias, use structured interviews, and balance tech with human judgment.

      Delete
  2. K V ChinthakaApril 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM

    Dear Zahran,
    Very important article. Correct person for correct job. So, every organization should line with an effective recruitment strategy.
    Effective recruitment strategies enable organizations to tap into a wider talent pool and attract highly skilled and qualified individuals who can contribute significantly to the company's success [Peoplebox.ai, 2024].

    ReplyDelete
  3. H K D AnneApril 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM

    You could add that providing feedback to candidates, whether they are hired or not, helps build trust and improves the company’s image. Companies like 99x Technologies and Virtusa in Sri Lanka ensure all candidates receive feedback, making the process more positive for everyone.

    ReplyDelete

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