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In this episode of The JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast, hosts JoDee Curtis and Susan White dig into a topic that directly impacts hiring success, employer brand, and long term talent pipelines: the candidate experience. From first touch to final decision, they explore how even small moments in the hiring process can either build trust or quietly turn great candidates away.

Drawing on current research and real world stories, JoDee and Susan unpack what today’s candidates expect, where organizations commonly fall short, and why ghosting, slow processes, and lack of transparency carry real consequences. The episode also features candid perspectives from job seekers and recruiting professionals, offering a behind the scenes look at what the hiring journey actually feels like on the other side of the table.

Key Takeaways

• Your hiring process is your employment brand. Candidates form opinions long before the interview, and those impressions influence offer acceptance, referrals, and future applications.
• Slow or unclear processes cost you talent. Long applications, delayed communication, and vague timelines create frustration and lead candidates to disengage or walk away entirely.
• Ghosting goes both ways, and it leaves a mark. Many candidates report never hearing back after applying or interviewing, and recruiters say they’re being ghosted by candidates too. This damages trust and reputation on both sides.
• Feedback matters more than you might think. Candidates who receive interview feedback, even when rejected, are far more likely to reapply and speak positively about the organization.
• Recruiters and interviewers set the tone. Every interaction signals your culture, values, and respect for people. Candidates remember how they were treated long after the process ends.

Quote of the Episode

“If we do nothing else today, I hope we just raise the awareness of employers out there—let’s be sensitive to the candidate experience and let’s do better.” – Susan White

Mentioned in this episode

• Purple Ink
• Susan Tinder White Consulting
• Candidate Experience Statistics 2026: Hiring Trends & Insights – Codegnan, January 2026
• STRATIVIS – Erin Todus’ consulting firm
• Permission to laugh at work? – HRDive, March 2026
• SHRM credit evaluation – the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on May 4, 2027
• JoyPowered® Patreon page
• JoyPowered® on LinkedIn
• JoyPowered® on Instagram
• Email JoyPowered®