Every company wants to be the one who hires the best talent. In the current job market, top candidates are in the driver’s seat and will move on if a company doesn’t pay attention to important details during the selection process. If you’re growing your team, follow these three tips to make sure your company stands out compared to the competition.

1. The interview is a two way street. In a recent LinkedIn poll of 20,000 job seekers, 83% said a negative interview experience could sway their opinion about a company they once liked. Alternatively, 87% said a positive interview could turn their previously negative view of a company around. As a hiring manager, it’s possible to become so focused on trying to figure out which candidate is the best fit that you may send a message of mistrust or that you’re not knowledgeable about your company and the role. Remember that the candidate is evaluating you too and make sure you’re prepared to respond to questions about the company and role. Be mindful of your company’s culture, values and employment branding too and make sure this is represented in how you conduct yourself during interviews.
2. Communication is key. After interviews are complete, be careful not to get bogged down in internal evaluation and your “day job” to the point that you neglect candidates. Keep job seekers informed on where they stand in the process, next steps and when they can expect to hear from you.
3. If you’re the hiring manager, stay involved. It’s common for HR or an outside recruitment firm to facilitate the offer process, but once the offer is made, make sure the candidate hears from you directly. In the LinkedIn poll, 94% of participants said hearing directly from the hiring manager can help them to accept the job faster. Your actions at this stage will play a role in setting the tone for your relationship with this person who is soon to be a member of your team.

If you’re interested in learning more about ways to improve the applicant experience on your, click here to download a white paper on How to Hire Top Talent Fast in Today’s Market provided by The Marlyn Group.