What Candidates Are Saying About Your Hiring Process (And Why It Matters)
When it comes to hiring, candidate feedback isn't just noise—it’s a goldmine. Your hiring process shapes how people perceive your company, whether they accept your offer, and if they'll even consider you again in the future. Here's what the data (and actual job seekers) are telling us.
1. Lack of Feedback Hurts Your Employer Brand
- 78% of candidates report never being asked for feedback after completing an application process—even if they weren’t hired.
- Only 17% of employers measure candidate experience at every touchpoint.
Candidates notice this—and it matters. Nearly 79% of candidates say they’d consider reapplying to a company if they received meaningful feedback post-interview, even if initially rejected.
Bottom line: Feedback isn't just nice—it's a loyalty and reputation builder.
📌 Tip: Send a quick "thank you for your time" note with constructive feedback—even a two-sentence comment can leave a powerful impression.
2. Poor Communication = Lost Candidates
- 65% of candidates experience inconsistent communication during the process.
- 23% of candidates lose interest if they don't hear back within a week.
And it shows: 58% of candidates decline offers because of poor communication.
Bottom line: Silence speaks loudly—and sends talent elsewhere.
📌 Tip: Use automated updates during application stages and schedule timely check-ins after interviews. Even a brief email can maintain goodwill.
3. A Smooth Process = Better Acceptance Rates
- 76% of new hires say a positive hiring experience influenced their decision to accept the offer.
- 72% of candidates say interview smoothness impacts their final decision.
- 66% of candidates reported that positive experiences swayed their say “yes” to your offer.
Bottom line: Your hiring process is your first impression—so make it count.
📌 Tip: Keep the process efficient and transparent. Clearly outline next steps, timelines, and expectations.
4. Respecting Time and Effort Earns Trust
39% of candidates feel their time isn’t respected during interviews.
When candidates spend hours—a resume, several interviews, even a skill test—it’s crucial they feel their effort matters. Candidates who receive feedback are four times more likely to reapply in the future .
Bottom line: Courtesy goes a long way—and builds long-term goodwill.
📌 Tip: Balance assessments and interviews with clear scope, reasonable length, and prompt follow-up. And if you’re not going to review or use something—don’t ask for it. Requesting portfolios, take-home tasks, or extra materials and then ignoring them not only wastes a candidate’s time—it damages your reputation.
5. Examples from the Field
🔹 Kudos
Lever’s AI Interview Companion
- Implements structured interviews and captures feedback quickly—85% of feedback is submitted within 48 hours of the interview.
- Their approach showcases how standardizing interviews and enforcing fast-turnaround feedback can significantly improve candidate experience.
Glassdoor/Stripe communication upgrade
- Stripe improved its candidate feedback processes, offering detailed feedback within 24 hours, resulting in a 40% increase in offer acceptance rates.
🔹 Cautionary tale
- Companies are increasingly introducing AI-powered assessments without upfront disclosure, and it's causing significant drop‑outs. For instance, a 2025 Business Insider investigation found that 10–20% of applicants outright refused to take skill or personality tests when they were introduced early in the process.
- This suggests that without proper notice or transparency, companies can lose a substantial portion of their talent pool—despite strong initial interest.
6. What You Can Do Now
| Focus Area | Why It Matters | Action Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for feedback | Builds brand & reputation | Add a feedback survey after stages and share results |
| Communicate clearly | Prevents ghosting & declines | Use auto-email updates + personalized messages |
| Respect time | Shows you value candidates | Time-limit interviews, give agendas in advance |
| Provide feedback | Nurtures future relationships | Even brief feedback boosts chances of re-applications |
| Measure & improve | Drives continuous learning | Track drop-off rates, survey responses, and iterate |
Final Thoughts
Candidates aren’t just applying to roles—they’re assessing how you treat them. Your process is your outbound marketing. Treat it well, and you’ll attract and retain top talent—even those who initially walked away.
Think of each candidate interaction as an opportunity to build relationships, reinforce your brand, and elevate your team.
