Candidate Experience Enhancement

Why Candidate Experience Matters

Candidate experience - the journey a job seeker takes from first contact through onboarding-has become a critical differentiator for companies in South Africa, across Africa, and globally. In a market where top talent is scarce and competition is fierce, how candidates perceive a company’s recruitment process directly impacts an employer’s brand and, ultimately, their bottom line.

A positive experience means clear communication, streamlined processes, and respect for a candidates’ time and dignity. According to LinkedIn, 83% of candidates say their experience influences their decision to accept an offer, and 58% wouldn’t reapply after a negative encounter. This isn’t just about filling roles-it’s about building relationships and trust that fuel long-term business success.

Business Impact and Employer Branding

A strong candidate experience does more than attract talent-it reduces cost-per-hire (by up to 50%), increases offer acceptance rates (by up to 38%), and boosts employee retention. Candidates share their experiences widely: 4 out of 5 will tell friends and family about a negative process, which can deter future applicants and damage a potential employer’s brand. Conversely, a positive experience turns even unsuccessful candidates into brand advocates, fueling a company’s reputation and growth.

Global and Local Trends in Candidate Experience

Across the globe, the candidate experience is rapidly evolving as organisations recognise its direct impact on employer branding and business performance. In South Africa, the job market is shifting quickly, with digital skills in high demand and candidates expecting seamless, technology-driven application processes. Companies are prioritising diversity, inclusion, and efficient communication to differentiate themselves. Negative reviews about hiring practices can spread rapidly online, damaging reputations and limiting access to future talent pools.

Across Africa, organisations are leveraging technology to streamline their hiring processes, with a strong focus on fairness and accessibility. This approach helps attract a broader and more diverse talent pool, making recruitment more inclusive and competitive.

Globally, hyper-personalised candidate journeys, AI-driven screening, and skills-based hiring are becoming the standard. Leading employers such as IBM and Salesforce have demonstrated the value of investing in candidate experience. IBM improved applicant satisfaction scores by 40% in a single year by streamlining communication and implementing user-friendly platforms. Salesforce’s “Ohana” culture, which emphasises community and transparency, resulted in a 22% increase in top-tier applicants and significantly enhanced their employer brand.

South African firms that have adopted mobile-friendly application forms, provided prompt feedback, and maintained transparent screening processes have seen lower candidate drop-off rates and higher retention, especially among digital-savvy Millennials and Gen Zs. These examples highlight that enhancing the candidate experience is not just a trend but a strategic imperative for organisations aiming to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market.

Make Candidate Experience a Priority

In today’s market, candidate experience is not a “nice-to-have”, it’s a strategic imperative. Recruitment agencies and clients who invest in respectful, efficient, and transparent hiring processes will secure the best talent, protect their brand, and drive business success for years to come.

A positive candidate experience sets the tone for what employees can expect from their new employer. It fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual respect, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.

Now is the time to review your hiring journey, embrace technology, and put the candidate at the heart of your recruitment strategy. The results will speak for themselves in your brand reputation, talent quality, and bottom line.

How Robert Walters Can Help You Enhance Candidate Experience

Robert Walters is a global leader in recruitment and talent advisory, dedicated to helping organisations transform the candidate experience at every stage of the hiring journey. By leveraging advanced diagnostics and deep market insight, Robert Walters can identify gaps in your recruitment process, streamline communication, and implement technology-driven solutions that ensure every candidate feels valued and respected.

Whether you need to optimise your application process, reduce drop-off rates, or build a more inclusive and engaging employer brand, Robert Walters offers tailored strategies and hands-on support. Our expertise spans permanent, interim, and outsourced recruitment across a wide range of industries, ensuring you attract and retain the best talent in a competitive market.

Ready to elevate your candidate experience and boost your employer brand?
Contact Zinzi Dlodlo at Zinzile.Dlodlo@RobertWalters.com for a candidate experience diagnostic and discover how a world-class hiring process can drive better business outcomes for your organisation.