Hiring process survey 2026

What candidates really want.

Insights from 246 South West accountancy and finance professionals, from AP and payroll to management and financial accountants.

246South West finance professionals

AP to FATransactional to qualified

2026Fresh results

Right PearIndependent survey

The big picture

What candidates told us.

Four numbers every hiring manager should know before they book the first interview.

Want a two-stage interview process

Given the option, nobody chose four or more.

Say 3 to 4 days between interviews

Nobody said 11 days or more was acceptable.

Prefer conversational interviews to technical ones

Candidates want to meet the people they'd work with.

Say poor agency service hurts your business

Who represents you shapes how you're seen.

Right Pear · Hiring process survey 202602

The feedback gap

Feedback is scarce, and it's noticed.

Candidates rate the feedback they get as middling, but a total lack of it hits the employer's reputation hard.

0/5

How candidates rate the quality and depth of feedback they get after interview

Out of 5

0/5

How much a total lack of feedback damages their view of the employer

Out of 5

Right Pear · Hiring process survey 202603

Your recruiter is your brand

Who represents you matters.

69% rated the impact 4 or 5. A poor service from the recruitment agency can end a candidate's interest in your business, even after a first interview.

0/5

How much a poor recruiter service influences a candidate's decision to drop out of a hiring process

69% rated it 4 or 5

Right Pear · Hiring process survey 202604

What this means for you

Five changes candidates will notice.

Two stages, not three76% want a two-stage process. Nobody chose four or more.
Keep stages about a week apart57% say 3 to 4 days. Nobody accepted 11+.
Talk, don't test88% prefer a conversational interview to a technical one.
Give real feedbackFeedback rates 2.97/5, and its absence costs you.
Choose your recruiter carefully78% say poor agency service hurts your business.

Right Pear · Hiring process survey 202605

Jonny HathrillCo-Founder & Director · Accountancy & Finance Recruitment

Our summary

The candidate, at the heart of it.

Recruitment processes are designed around internal schedules, stakeholder availability and business priorities. Whilst these are all important considerations, this survey is a useful reminder that the candidate experience should remain at the heart of every hiring process.
The findings show that finance professionals value a recruitment process that is simple, moves at pace and allows them to build genuine relationships with the people they'll potentially be working alongside.

Right Pear · Hiring process survey 202606

Next step

Hire the way candidates want.

A short call is enough to look at how you hire today and where you might be losing good people.

Book a call with Jonny rightpear.co.uk

Jonny Hathrill07753 421 033
[email protected]

Giles Ellison07859 158 989
[email protected]