Job candidates pulling out of hiring process disruptive: report

SINGAPORE: Shortlisted job candidates who pull out of the hiring process are hurting company productivity, according to a survey by global talent solutions company, Hudson.

Twenty three per cent of the respondents withdrew from the recruitment process, while about a quarter were willing to reject job offers after they had signed on the dotted line.

Hudson said in its report, Salary & Employment Insights 2013, that employers described candidate withdrawal as costly and frustrating, as the extended vacancy adversely affects the productivity and morale of the existing team.

Six in 10 employers expect candidates to withdraw at some stage in the recruitment process.

About 27 per cent said this happened between the application and first interview.

A bigger concern is that 43 per cent of those surveyed experienced cases when a candidate withdrew after an offer had been made.

The top reason cited for pulling out after a job offer was made is that the salary did not meet expectations. This was followed by better offers from other companies and the belief that the employer had misrepresented the role.

Hudson said these findings indicate that employers should streamline the recruitment process, improve communication with candidates to engage them at an early stage and be open and honest about salary and other benefits.

— CNA/ck