Vendor survey results, reports, and white papers are self-serving.
We know that, right? But vendor survey results, reports and white papers can also be sources of insight for HR professionals — as long as they understand that there’s an agenda behind the publication.
I read a SilkRoad report on some survey results last week that I thought was interesting. I don’t know anyone at SilkRoad, but they sent me a link and I clicked on it.
And found this: 2013 Employment Marketplace Survey Results: The Candidate’s Perspective. And I found that their results line up well with the work that Elaine Orler and Gerry Crispin’s Talent Board is doing with the annual Candidate Experience Awards (CandEs).
Candidate’s voice is getting more powerful
The “Voice of the Candidate” is getting more and more powerful. And it’s clear from these results – and others – that organizations winning the talent game are listening to that voice. Those that aren’t listening are missing out on some great talent.
The report is a quick read but here are a couple of highlights:
Companies that invest in the commonly accepted components of “engagement” are more likely to catch the attention of job seekers. Period. The top five selected (this was a “check your top three” questions) characteristics are typically found in definitions of engagement. For good reason, as it turns out.
And this:
Web-based technology = innovative and progressive
The report describes the results of this question as the “halo effect” of web-based recruiting technology. It’s not just about the efficiencies of using the web for recruiting – it’s also about the assumptions candidates make about the use of web-based recruiting technology.
According to the results, the majority of survey participants indicated that they believe the use of web-based recruiting technology means that the employer is innovative and progressive.
There certainly are a number of HCM providers with web-based recruiting technology solutions – and more being introduced nearly every day. If an employer has the dual purpose of increasing talent acquisition efficiency as well as improving the candidate experience, then listening to the “Voice of the Candidate” is the right place to start.
Note: The CandEs will be announced at the annual HR Technology Conference, October 7-9, 2013 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
This originally appeared on China Gorman’s blog at ChinaGorman.com.