The Survey You'll Never See

It amazes me that companies don't understand that their HR departments are part of the company service experience. I don't know of any HR departments that survey "customers" (candidates) about their interview and hiring (or not) experience.

Imagine, a company who focused on hiring "excellence". What would they be like?

Well, I think it would focus on treating all candidates with dignity and respect. And that would translate into specific measurable tasks.

Imagine the positive impression that a post interview survey might make. Imagine getting an email with a link to an electronic survey that might ask questions similar to the following:

Thank you for your interest in ABC Company. We strive to continually improve our recruiting and hiring processes and to provide a dignified and respectful candidate experience. Your honest responses to the following survey will help us continually improve our hiring practices and to continue to promote and practice our guiding values.

1. Did your interview start on time?
2. Did we explain our recruiting process?
3. Did we commit to keeping you informed of the progress for the position hire?
4. Did the recruiter's description/understanding of the position you applied for, match with the job advertisement you applied to?
5. Did your interview offer you adequate opportunity to disclose your qualifications and interest in the position?
6. Did your interviewer seem interested and engaged in your personal qualifications?
7. Did your interviewer offer you the opportunity to ask further questions after the interview?
8. If you took advantage of the opportunity to ask further questions after your interview, were your questions answered to your satisfaction? Were they answered promptly?
9. If we found a more suitable candidate, for the position you applied for, were you informed in a timely and respectful way?
10. If we determined that another candidate was a better fit for the position you applied for, was your experience one that would still make you willing to apply for a future position with our company?

What a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to corporate values and to provide your company with a competitive advantage in the hiring process.

It's one that most companies don't take advantage of.