An applicant is an individual who applies for a job position at a company by going through the hiring process, which is typically managed by the employer.
Let’s explore:
Applicant Definition
The term “applicant” refers to someone who submits their resume, fills out application forms and undergoes multiple rounds of interviews for the desired position.
You had me at Hello – The Significance of Applicant Engagement
The applicant’s engagement refers to the interaction that occurs between a job seeker and an organization, during the recruitment process.
It involves the process from posting a job position to accepting applications, conducting screenings and making hiring decisions. The applicant’s engagement plays a role in attracting and retaining talent for your organization.
Below we will discuss the significance of applicant engagement in talent acquisition.
1. Building Reputation
A positive applicant experience can greatly enhance your company’s reputation. Word of mouth and online reviews have an impact on how your organization’s perceived.
When job seekers have experience throughout the recruitment process, they are more likely to share their experiences with others. This can help attract talent to your organization in the future.
2. Increased Applicant Engagement and Post hire Retention
Applicants who have experience during the recruitment process are more likely to engage with the organization. They show interest in learning about your company, its culture and its values.
This leads to levels of engagement and retention. It can also increase employee referrals, which serve as a source of talent.
3. Improved Quality of Hires
A positive applicant experience ultimately leads to quality hires. If the process of enlisting is efficient, effective and mindful applicants are more likely to accept job offers.
Moreover, if it’s easy for applicants to apply you will attract a pool of high-quality applicants. You wouldn’t want to miss out on an applicant just because you made the application process difficult.
To maximize the chances of attracting applicants and minimizing turnover risks it is crucial to create an applicant experience. This will give your organization an advantage in today’s competitive job market. Applicants are more likely to apply to companies with a reputation.
By offering an applicant experience you can also contribute to improving diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Companies that are known for being mindful tend to attract applicants from backgrounds. This in turn allows your organization to have a pool of applicants and cultivate a more inclusive work culture.
How to Boost Applicant Engagement?
1. Be Easy to Work With
First and foremost, your organization should prioritize ease of engagement during the recruitment process. Make it effortless for applicants to find your job openings apply for positions communicate with you and receive feedback.
2. Ensure Job Profiles Are Realistic
It is essential that the job profiles you present accurately reflect the requirements and expectations of each role. The presentation of the work can be used to promote job opportunities, attract talent and initiate the process of managing exhibitions.
By creating job postings that reflect not the requirements of the role but the key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance expectations, for success we can ensure that qualified applicants apply.
3. Be responsive and accessible
It is important to respond to emails, phone calls and messages to avoid situations where recruiters become unresponsive.
Ensure that all prospective applicants are well informed about the status of their applications and interviews.
4. Provide Clear and Direct Communication
This includes ensuring that applicants are kept updated on the process and who they will be meeting with. Continually provide information about the job requirements as the company culture, screening process and timeline. Follow through on your commitments to follow up.
5. Offer Feedback to All Applicants
Give feedback to applicants throughout the recruitment process including after interviews and evaluations. This feedback should be helpful. Assist applicants in identifying areas where they can improve and reach the level.
6. Be Intentional About Your Employer Brand
Use the recruitment process as an opportunity to showcase your company culture and values. It is crucial that your website, job postings and online presence answer applicant questions and accurately reflect who your organization is.
Final Thoughts – Applicant Engagement is a Component of Talent Acquisition
A positive applicant experience can enhance brand reputation increase applicant engagement attract higher quality hires give you an edge and promote diversity and inclusion, in the workplace.
By implementing these strategies, you can create an experience for applicants that will not only attract top talent but also enhance your company’s reputation as an employer of choice.
Organizations that prioritize the applicant’s experience are more likely to attract and retain high caliber individuals leading to long term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an applicant?
Answer: A job applicant is someone who’s interested in applying for a position and takes the first step in the hiring process by completing a job application.
How is the term “applicant” commonly used in job recruitment and hiring processes?
Answer: The term you will commonly come across in the recruitment industry is “applicant.”