What is the first step in auditing the candidate experience?

Mapping the entire candidate journey is a crucial first step in auditing the candidate experience because it provides a comprehensive overview of the various touchpoints a candidate encounters throughout the hiring process. This mapping includes everything from how candidates first hear about a position to their interactions with the application process, interviews, and onboarding.

By understanding the entire journey, organizations can identify potential pain points or areas for improvement that may not be obvious without this framework. It establishes a foundation for the audit and enables more targeted and effective actions in subsequent steps, such as conducting candidate surveys or analyzing recruitment metrics. Without this mapping, efforts to enhance the candidate experience may lack direction and fail to address the most critical aspects affecting candidates' perceptions and decisions.