A harsh truth hiring managers get wrong

Candidates are evaluating your company just as much as you’re evaluating them.?

And they’re not just looking at your job title or perks—they want to see what’s really behind the curtain.?

If you want to attract top talent, here’s what they’re actually paying attention to:

1?.? Company culture

Do you walk the talk??

Candidates are watching how you communicate and resolve conflicts.?

Clear, honest communication is a green flag.?

Dodge questions? Major turnoff.

2?.? Role clarity

Nobody wants to sign up for a guessing game.?

If the role isn’t well-defined, you’re sending the message that you don’t value people’s time.

3. Work-life balance

It’s not just a “nice-to-have” anymore.?

Candidates want to know if you’re serious about flexibility and work-life boundaries.?

If you can’t answer this, they’ll look elsewhere.

4. Compensation & benefits

Be transparent.?

Hiding salary details or skirting around perks only makes candidates think: “What else are they not telling me?”

5?. Company stability

Is there a future here??

Candidates don’t want to jump into a sinking ship.?

They’re looking for growth, direction, and a solid plan.

6?. Interview process

Your interview is your first impression.?

If the process feels sloppy or disorganized, it’s a sign of what’s to come.?

Respect their time.

Bottom line

Most candidates want more than just a paycheck—they want purpose, growth, connection and clarity.?

The real question is: Are you the place where they can find it?

Also read: 20+ Candidate experience statistics that recruiters need to look into ASAP Author bio

Stephanie Loewenstern is the founder of Bright Link Talent , a woman-owned recruiting firm dedicated to helping high-growth tech startups and companies secure top, diverse talent to drive their success. With over a decade of industry experience, Stephanie stands out for her ability to cut through the noise, focusing on building long-term relationships and fostering collaboration to match the right candidates with the right opportunities.

Her expertise spans various sectors, including ad tech, HR tech, cybersecurity, and fintech, with a strong focus on supporting startups through Series C funding rounds. Under her leadership, Bright Link Talent offers a range of recruiting services, such as retained, contingent, and fractional recruitment, all tailored to meet clients' unique hiring needs.

Passionate about empowering both candidates and hiring managers, Stephanie emphasizes the significance of individual contributions and the power of cohesive teams. Whether it’s filling a critical role or scaling an entire team, she leverages her extensive network and expertise to deliver exceptional hiring results.

For recruitment support, reach out to Stephanie at [email protected] .