In today’s competitive labour market, candidate experience significantly shapes employer brand perception. Yet, despite jobseekers’ expectations for rapid, clear communication, recruitment cycles often drag on for weeks or months.
The Growing Gap Between Expectations and Reality
Research from Gi Group reveals a stark mismatch between candidate expectations and recruitment timelines. Younger jobseekers aged 18–25 demand feedback within seven days, with over half expecting quick responses. Meanwhile, older candidates show more patience but still value clear communication regarding timelines.
Consequences for Employers
Pete Taylor, Managing Director at Gi Group, warns that failure to meet these expectations risks losing top talent to faster competitors. Organisations must accelerate recruitment and enhance communication to stay competitive.
Challenges Slowing Recruitment
The UK job market in 2025 faces complex challenges:
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Economic uncertainty leads to cautious hiring and prolonged decision-making
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AI-generated CVs flood recruiters’ inboxes, creating difficulties in identifying authentic, qualified candidates
Taylor stresses the importance of sector-embedded recruitment experts to navigate these hurdles and match the right candidates with the right roles — swiftly.
Moving Beyond Traditional CVs
There’s growing advocacy for skills-based hiring, emphasizing practical assessments over polished resumes. This approach offers a more accurate view of candidate potential, improving hiring quality amid a crowded applicant pool.
The Urgency of Adaptation
Taylor concludes: “Speed and transparency are no longer optional but essential. Candidate experience is a competitive edge. Employers must evolve recruitment processes or risk losing talent to more agile rivals.”
Source – The HR Director
