What Candidates Really Think About Your Careers Page

When it comes to attracting top healthcare talent, your careers page is often the first real impression a candidate has of your organisation. And just like any first impression, it sticks.

While job boards and recruitment agencies can help you reach active jobseekers, your careers page is where candidates go to learn who you are, what you stand for, and whether they can picture themselves in your team. If your page is bland, outdated, or difficult to navigate, you could be losing the very professionals you’re trying to attract without even realising it.

So what do candidates really think when they land on your careers page?

1. “Is this up to date?”

Outdated job listings, broken links, or references to old awards and news are instant red flags. Candidates want to feel confident that the information they’re seeing is current, accurate, and relevant. An unmaintained page suggests that talent attraction isn't a priority, and that’s not a great look for a healthcare employer.

Fix it: Regularly update job vacancies, ensure dates are accurate, and check that all links work. Review the content quarterly to keep it fresh and aligned with your current employer brand.

2. “Why should I want to work here?”

Most careers pages focus too heavily on what roles are available, not why someone should apply. Candidates are looking for more than a job title and salary. They want to understand your values, your culture, and what makes your facility or clinic different from others.

Fix it: Share real employee stories, highlight your mission and patient care ethos, and showcase what your teams are proud of, whether that’s a new initiative, community work, or clear promotion pathways.

3. “Do I see people like me here?”

Representation matters. Candidates look for signs of inclusion, diverse teams, accessible opportunities, and equitable hiring practices. If every image and story show the same type of employee, it can unintentionally send the message that others don’t belong.

Fix it: Reflect the diversity of your workforce through imagery, testimonials, and leadership representation. If you have inclusive hiring policies or staff networks, highlight them clearly.

4. “What’s the application process like?”

Ambiguity in the application process can deter even the most qualified candidates. Long-winded forms, unclear next steps, or no indication of timelines can leave people questioning whether it’s worth applying at all.

Fix it: Clearly outline the application process from start to finish. Include interview stages, expected timelines, and how candidates will be contacted. Transparency builds trust and increases completion rates.

5. “Does this organisation value its people?”

Your careers page is a golden opportunity to show how you support your workforce—but too many pages focus only on vacancies. Candidates want to know about work-life balance, flexibility, professional development, wellbeing initiatives, and leadership support.

Fix it: Include a section that highlights employee benefits, training and development opportunities, flexible working options, and your commitment to staff wellbeing and career growth.

6. “Can I find what I’m looking for quickly?”

If your page is cluttered, hard to navigate, or buried under layers of corporate messaging, candidates will lose patience. Today’s jobseekers expect a clean, user-friendly digital experience, especially when browsing from a mobile device.

Fix it: Optimise your careers page for mobile, streamline navigation, and make it easy to search or filter jobs. Keep your language clear, inclusive, and jargon-free.

Final Thoughts

Your careers page isn’t just a job board - it’s your shop window for talent. In a competitive healthcare hiring landscape, listing vacancies isn’t enough. You need to sell the experience of working at your organisation.

A well-crafted, up-to-date, and candidate-focused careers page can boost application rates, reduce drop-offs, and build trust with both active and passive jobseekers.

Need support refining your hiring strategy or attracting hard-to-reach talent? We specialise in partnering with healthcare organisations to connect them with exceptional professionals who align with their values, culture, and long-term goals.

For further Hiring Manager and Recruiter advice, consult Fertility Talent or simply call us on 01904 230002.