What if your job candidates could ask your previous employees for a detailed reference?

Although the majority of people are not consciously aware that the selective processes are a two-way road, in fact, they are. It is simple - The company can decide if the candidate matches the skills, abilities, values and attitudes they are looking for, and on the other hand, the candidate can decide if that environment, culture and challenges are also what will make he/she happy. 

It sounds incredibly normal, isn't it? But I regret to say that, unfortunately, lots of people do not realise it when they are looking for a new job and principally, when they are recruiting a new employee. In fact, the world would be a much better place to live if everyone would practice empathy (utopia? I hope not??)...

The reference check is a common process in the New Zealand market and certainly in many other countries as well. Everybody knows that at the last step preceding to the job offer, they must provide some previous managers' contacts for this purpose, but have you ever thought if the candidate could do the same?

What if your job candidates could ask your previous employees for a detailed reference? What would they say?

Has it blown your mind? ?? It sounds different, isn't it?

Unfortunately, it is not (yet) part of the process (although I firmly believe it will be in the very soon future) but there are already a couple of websites, where the job seekers can visit to check companies' reviews and find what the previous employees have to tell them about how the daily job looks like over your office. Does it make you worried? ?? Well, it shouldn't!

If your company is not yet ready for it, you should start building a better #employeeexperience right now! Actually, you are already late?!

Do you need some tips? So, here they go:

?? #empathy is your north! Review all your processes - Can you find any point where you wouldn't like to be on the other side? So, you probably should start there.

?? You will not be able to change everything at the same time though, so choose a couple of processes you can start from and dedicate yourself to make them better. When you finish it, you can start another one (it is an endless improvement pathway! ??)

?? The first working day/week is crucial for your new employees. Make them feel good, respected and strongly welcomed. There are lots of things you can create without spending a coin that will make your #onboarding process much more exciting and make the new hires feel like they are in a dream environment.

?? Details make all the difference! You wouldn't believe how much little things can provide outstanding experiences for your employees! Use them in your favour! ??

?? How does your office look like? ?? Are your employees working comfortably? Do they have all the tools they need to deliver extraordinary results?

?? Do your staff have easy access to important information around their contract, salary, benefits, payslips and so forth? Do they know with whom they should reach out to discuss the daily challenges they could face?

?? You have no idea how much a proper #offboarding process is important! People come and go and that is life, it is not always you will be able to keep them in your staff and that is fine if they experience a respectful goodbye. Possibly, they can come back in the future or refer a friend or even become a customer, we never know... It is not because they are leaving that they are not reliable partners anymore. Show them your company and the team are grateful for the hard work they have done and wish them all the best in their new challenges! There are many different ways you can do it and make them feel appreciated and thankful.

There are undoubtedly endless other ways you can create a better experience for your staff. Just be open and creative - you will find out how to improve it in the reality of your business ??

I really dream with the day employers and job seekers will treat each other with respect, transparency and empathy it is required to have a great partnership. Don't you believe everyone would gain with that?

Unfortunately, we can not save the world, there are lots of things we have no control, but we definitely can make it a bit better ?? So, go there and do your best! You will surely make a difference in someone's world! Good luck!