- September 15, 2025
- Jessica Harling
In a creative, detail-driven field like design and window treatments, your candidate experience isn’t just part of the hiring process, it’s your first brand impression. From installers to sales consultants, designers to operations managers, how you engage with candidates can shape your reputation, expand your talent pipeline, and ultimately, land you the best-fit people.
Here are 10 actionable tips to elevate your candidate experience and stand out as a sought-after employer in the design and window treatment space.
1. Showcase Your Creative Culture Upfront
Your job post is more than a list of requirements, it’s a branding opportunity. Highlight your team’s personality, your design aesthetic, and the kinds of projects you’re passionate about. Use imagery or links to your portfolio to make the posting feel visually compelling and aligned with your brand.
Pro tip: Add a behind-the-scenes Instagram reel or team quote to your job descriptions.
2. Be Transparent About the Process and Timeline
Design professionals value clear communication and structure just like your clients do. From the start, outline what candidates can expect: the steps, timelines, and who they’ll meet. Transparency builds trust and minimizes candidate drop-off.
3. Tailor Communication to the Role
The way you speak to a design assistant should feel different than how you’d approach a senior operations director. Match your tone and content to the role. Creative professionals often prefer informal, visually engaging content, while ops roles may appreciate precision and clarity.
4. Respond Promptly and Personally
A thoughtful, timely response, whether it’s to acknowledge a résumé or provide interview feedback, goes a long way. Even if the answer is “no,” a kind, specific note keeps the door open for future opportunities and referrals.
5. Use Design-Inspired Interview Experiences
For creative roles, interviews should reflect the environment they’ll work in. Consider portfolio reviews, design challenges, or collaborative brainstorming as part of the process. Keep it engaging and relevant to the actual work.
6. Involve the Team—Strategically
Introduce candidates to their future teammates. Whether it’s a quick meet-and-greet or a more formal interview, this gives them a feel for your culture and fosters alignment on both sides.
Tip: Don’t overwhelm candidates with back-to-back interviews. Balance is key.
7. Give Thoughtful Feedback
If a candidate completes a test project or design challenge, they’ve already invested in you. Return the favor with actionable feedback. It shows respect for their craft and reflects well on your brand.
8. Celebrate Their Wins—Even Before the Offer
Did a candidate wow your team with a unique take on a design task? Tell them. This kind of positive reinforcement boosts their confidence and creates memorable touchpoints in your hiring process.
9. Make the Offer Process Feel Like a Design Presentation
In this industry, visuals matter. Don’t send a bland email with salary numbers. Package your offer in a beautiful branded PDF, video message, or welcome deck that outlines the role, values, and perks. Sell the experience of joining your team.
10. Stay Connected Post-Offer
Whether the candidate accepts or not, stay in touch. Share future openings, industry insights, or even invite them to an open house or design event. Great candidate experience isn’t just about this hire, it’s about building a talent community.
Final Thoughts
In design and window treatments, the candidate experience should be as thoughtful and beautiful as the spaces you create. It’s your opportunity to reflect your standards, culture, and creativity while turning top talent into brand ambassadors, even if they don’t get the job.
By investing in a standout candidate journey, you’re not just filling roles, you’re building a reputation that attracts the best and brightest in the business.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help make your candidate’s experience better.
#PeopleOperations #Recruiting #Hiring #OrganizationalDesign #WindowTreatments #Design #InteriorDesign
