There are many things that come to mind Thanksgiving Week. Usually family, turkey, cranberry sauce, and naps grace the leaderboard. Somewhere near the top you will typically find the very basis of the holiday, giving thanks and showing appreciation for the things we have in our lives. Things that folks are often thankful for and truly appreciate are typically not things at all. They are intangibles, such as health, happiness, and well-being.

You may be asking what this has to do with your recruitment efforts and hiring process. The message is a simple one: appreciation for the candidate’s mental well-being goes a long way, especially in situations where it may not always be expected. Below are some tips on how you can utilize small cordialities and the sign of appreciation to enhance your culture and brand recognition in the marketplace.

• Respond within 48 hours to a follow-up thank you email from a candidate that has interviewed. Replying timely to candidates can help reinforce team comradery and communication skills.

• Deliver constructive feedback during the interview process. When not selecting a candidate to proceed, offer them honest feedback to help them continue to grow as a professional. It may help you down the road when filling another role.

• Inform candidates when they are no longer being considered for the role. No one really likes rejection, but what may be worse is not knowing at all and being left in the dark. Being known as a straightforward and transparent company can help build trustworthiness in your group in the candidate marketplace.

• Thank each candidate for their time and interest in your organization. While you have ultimately used your company time and resources for interviews, they also have taken the time and effort during the hiring process and should be thanked accordingly. Showing genuine appreciation to a candidate, selected or not selected, may help you establish a reputation of gratitude and connectivity.

Who wouldn’t want to work with a group like that?