Every seventh German changed their job last year. The majority being due to the fact that expectations of candidates and what they encounter in the workplace, is very different from each other. With little effort you can avoid huge turnover by introducing a small, however highly influential tool at the very beginning of your hiring process; a so-called “Realistic Job Preview“.

Personnel selection should not be a one-way-street. Not only do companies select their employees, candidates too can choose their potential employer, answering the question: Where do I apply?

The main issue is the question of whether an employer can offer them the working environment and tasks that really meet their interests, expectations and demands in the long term … Candidates ask themselves: Will I be happy in this position within this company?

The Hay Group study

Lets take a closer look at resarch conducted on turnover in Germany. Hay Group found the latest figure of the turnover rate was 14%. Other studies have produced similar results. This means one in every seventh person changed their job last year. Given the comparably thriving German economy with low unemployment rates, we should consider the situation in other countries with a less favorable employment market. Is it possible that turnover might be higher there?

Of course there are many different explanations for turnover. However, one very important reason is the following: the expectations of the applicants are not compatible with reality. New employees are disappointed and terminate their working contract shortly after starting their new job. Often, they share their bad experiences on the social web harming in many cases the reputation of the employer. Not to mention the additional costs of hiring new employees to fill the vacancies.

You definitely can avoid this if you are willing to provide what is called a Realistic Job Preview. It enables the applicants to have realistic expectations concerning your job and the company before they apply and enter your hiring process.

What is a Realistic Job Preview?

A Realistic Job Preview is a technique which provides your candidates with authentic insights into their potential workplace and environment.

The aim is to help them select whether they want to apply or not. They should be able to judge whether a particular vacancy matches their interests and expectations: How does a typical working day look like? Which tasks are perhaps a bit more stressful? What are the individual areas of responsibility?, etc. ..

The focus is on the word “realistic”. This means that the information should be balanced and also include negative aspects. For example, working as a consultant is not a 9-5 job, the contact with the client can be very stressful and demanding. Admittedly, it is not easy to communicate the shadow side of a job because every employer likes to show their best side. On the other hand, too positive representations lead to false expectations which in the worst case can cause turnover.

What is NOT a Realistic Job Preview?

Believe it or not, some big German companies try to enhance their employer brand by creating videos with trainees performing rap songs. Is it really useful to use things like this to prove how hip or exciting it would be to work for a company?

What is the best format for a Realistic Job Preview?

There are several suitable formats. Video is of course a lot more vivid than a chronological description of a typical work day. Video, blogs, interviews with employees or hybrid formats (e.g. the combination of blogs and videos) can be used, as well as role-playing and interactive formats.

You can easily include Realistic Job Previews in your selection process, too. Let’s take recorded video interviews as an example. It is an innovative screening method for candidate pre-selection. Many companies use the opportunity to record a personal welcome video for their candidates before they conduct their video interview. This is great because companies (especially HR and hiring managers) can introduce themselves and give insights into the working environment, team and tasks. Candidates love to get an authentic impression and easily create a relationship with a company.

Would you like to know more about how you can use pre-recorded video interviews to enhance candidate experience and make your applicants become a fan of your company? Then talk to us. schedule a demo.