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Poor interview turns off job seekers

67% of candidates would turn down a job offer after a poor interview experience, according to the latest Robert Walters whitepaper entitled ‘Optimising The Interview Process To Secure The Best Candidates’.

The interview process is at the heart of the recruitment process, with 61% of candidates regarding it an extremely important factor in shaping their perception of an employer. Hence, it is essential for organisations to make use of the interview process to create a good impression and provide sufficient information to showcase the job opportunity.

“Traditionally an interview gave employers the opportunity to meet, assess and select the best talent for the job and their company. However, with an increasingly talent-short market, professionals are more discerning when choosing their career paths. A job interview is no longer a one-way process – it is two-way and often forms a candidate’s first impression of an organisation,” commented Matthew Bennett, Managing Director - Greater China, Robert Walters.

What affects candidates’ impression during the interview?

The role of the interviewer is critical to the job interview process as they are the main point of reference of the business to job seekers. 94% of professionals noted that a rude/disrespectful attitude from interviewers would give them a negative impression of the business, and 77% would be put off by the interviewers’ lack of preparation.

“It is important that interviewers behave in an appropriate manner and provide an accurate representation of the company brand,” noted Wang. “Companies should implement interview guidelines and training to ensure a more consistent experience for candidates in a manner that reflects the company’s values.”

Lengthy interview process – a deal-breaker

In a candidate-short market, professionals have a wide range of options available to them and will be less likely to wait for organisations that have lengthy recruitment processes. 68% of candidates said they have withdrawn from the interview process before after receiving an offer from another company, while 40% of organisations admitted that they have lost out on their preferred candidate before due to a lengthy recruitment process.

“Employers should understand that the most in-demand candidates typically receive more than one job offer. If the company constantly finds their preferred candidates turning down their job offers because they have accepted another offer somewhere else, it may be time for the organisation to review their recruitment process,” said Wang.

About the whitepaper

This Robert Walters Whitepaper surveyed over 1,500 professionals and hiring managers across China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The study aimed to examine candidates’ expectations and employers’ perceptions of the interview process, and offer recommendations on how organisations can optimise their interview process to secure the best candidates.

Please click to download a full version of the Robert Walters Whitepaper ‘Optimising The Interview Process To Secure The Best Candidates’ and infographic.

 

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Poor interview turns off job seekers

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