5 Creative Ways to Stay in Front of Candidates & New Hires

• By: Posted by HR Alliance Staff
• On: 12/11/2023 09:09:51
• In: Recruiting/Hiring
• Comments: 0

Staying in touch with candidates over the holidays is important for maintaining positive relationships and ensuring a smooth hiring process in the new year. Here are the top five best practices HR leaders can use to stay in touch with candidates during the holiday season:

Send Holiday Greetings
A simple yet effective way to stay connected with candidates is to send personalized holiday greetings. This can be in the form of emails, e-cards, or handwritten notes, expressing your best wishes for the festive season. Include a personal touch by referencing previous interactions or discussing shared interests, demonstrating genuine care and interest.

• HR & Marketing leaders can create a thoughtful end of year note to send to new hires and candidates on behalf of hiring managers and key influencers.
• Send digital corporate holiday cards to candidates and new hires, just as you would to vendors or other partners

Provide Updates on Their Status
Even if there are no major developments in the hiring process during the holidays, it's essential to keep candidates informed. Send regular updates about the status of their application or any changes in the recruitment timeline. This helps candidates stay engaged and reduces anxiety about their application status.

• HR Leaders can review the last communication sent to candidates and new hires, follow up with one last touch before the end of the year.
• The manager of the new hire can send a quick email (or text) communicating how they are excited to have them start soon.

Share Company Culture & End of Year Recognition
Use the holiday season as an opportunity to showcase your company culture. Share stories, photos, or videos of holiday celebrations and activities within your organization on your website or social media platforms. This allows candidates to get a sense of your company's values and work environment.

• Holiday video from the CEO giving people recognition.
• Share photos on social media that capture volunteer work, holiday events, team building, etc.

Offer Networking Opportunities
Organize virtual networking events or webinars during the holiday season where candidates can interact with current employees or other potential candidates. This helps maintain engagement and provides candidates with valuable insights into your organization.

• Invite a candidate to an upcoming event and assign them an employee as their guide.

Provide Resources
Offer resources and tips related to job searching, career development, or personal well-being during the holidays. This could include articles, webinars, or downloadable guides. Providing value beyond the immediate job application process demonstrates your commitment to candidates' professional growth.

• For new hires, provide pre-onboarding materials and videos to check out before their start date, including what to expect on their first day.

Remember that the key to successful candidate engagement during the holidays is maintaining a warm and authentic connection. Tailor your approach to the individual preferences of candidates and respect their holiday schedules. By staying in touch in a thoughtful and considerate manner, HR leaders can build stronger relationships with candidates and set a positive tone for the upcoming year.

This Blog was prepared by the HR Alliance Communications Team.