Candidate Experience

Candidate experience refers to a job seeker's overall perception of an employer based on their interactions throughout the hiring process. It includes factors like job application ease, communication transparency, interview experience, and feedback quality. A positive candidate experience enhances employer branding and improves the chances of attracting and retaining top talent, while a negative experience can deter potential hires and impact the company's reputation.

How to calculate candidate experience?

Candidate experience is qualitative, but it can be measured using surveys and feedback tools to generate a Candidate Experience Score. Here's how:

1. Use a Candidate Experience Survey

Ask candidates (both selected and rejected) to rate their experience on aspects like:

• Ease of application
• Communication quality
• Interview process
• Timeliness and professionalism
• Overall satisfaction

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Calculate a Candidate Experience Score

Use a scale (e.g., 1–5 or 1–10) and calculate the average score.

Example formula:

Candidate Experience Score=Sum of all candidate ratings / Total number of responses

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Track Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Ask: “How likely are you to recommend our hiring process to others?”
Then apply the standard NPS formula:

NPS=%Promoters−%Detractors

This gives you a clear, quantifiable measure of how candidates perceive your hiring process—helping you improve and build a stronger employer brand.