Candidates are not only being interviewed. They are also paying attention to how you treat them during the hiring process.
I learned this from an interview experience that made me realize how much a company's hiring process can say about the company itself.
Three years ago, I travelled from Lagos to Ifo for a job interview.
I arrived early and waited.
And waited.
The employer eventually arrived late, but we were left at the reception while she stayed in her office.
Then we were told to come back the next day.
So I did. 🤷♀️
I spent another full day waiting.
The employer still didn't show up.
At about 5 p.m., she eventually called her assistant and we had a virtual interview.
Then came the offer:
₦45,000 salary.
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday to Saturday.
Two months' probation before any increase.
My previous job paid ₦70,000. 😂
I was unemployed at the time, but I still rejected the offer.
I kept asking myself:
“Why make candidates go through all this when the offer was this low?”
I later heard people say that some employers deliberately make candidates invest so much time and money in the process that they feel pressured to accept the offer.
Whether or not that was the intention in this case, the experience taught me something important:
How you treat candidates during recruitment matters.
Candidates travel.
Candidates prepare.
Candidates spend money.
Candidates are hoping for an opportunity.
If you keep them waiting for hours, change plans without proper communication, or make the process unnecessarily stressful, they are taking note.
And sometimes, they are interviewing you too.
A candidate may walk away from an offer because of the salary.
But they can also walk away because of how the company treated them throughout the process.
Your hiring process is part of your employer brand.
So, employers and HR teams, remember:
✔️ Respect candidates' time.
✔️ Communicate when plans change.
✔️ Don't make candidates go through unnecessary stress.
✔️ Remember that candidates are evaluating the company too.
A hiring process should help you find the right person.
It shouldn't be a test of how much disrespect a desperate candidate can tolerate.
Sometimes, the best decision a candidate can make is to walk away.
