Candidate Net Promoter Score (cNPS)
Measure of candidate satisfaction with the recruitment process, regardless of outcome
What is Candidate Net Promoter Score (cNPS)?
Candidate net promoter score (cNPS) shows how likely candidates are to recommend an organisation's recruitment process, whether or not they were hired. It is based on a single survey question.
How candidates are treated shapes the employer's reputation, so the score is a useful check on the recruitment experience.
How this KPI is measured
- Function
- Human Resources
- Sub-function
- Talent Acquisition
- Industry
- All Industries
- Type
- Lagging
- Impact
- Quality
- Unit
- score (−100 to +100)
- Measurement frequency
- Quarterly / Annual
- Formula
- % Promoters (score 9–10) − % Detractors (score 0–6) from post-process candidate survey
How to calculate it
Ask candidates after the process how likely they are to recommend it, on a scale of 0 to 10. Subtract the percentage of detractors (0 to 6) from the percentage of promoters (9 to 10).
For example, if 55% are promoters and 15% are detractors, the score is +40.
Survey both hired and rejected candidates, and read the comments to see what to improve.
Where it is used
Improving candidate experience
Find friction.
Protecting employer brand
Track reputation.
Comparing roles and teams
Share good practice.
How to improve it
Tips and common mistakes
- Rejected candidates give the most honest view.
- Speed and communication drive scores.
- Watch response rates.
More Human Resources kpi library
Build better plans, faster
Join the waitlist for early access to curated insights, flexible templates, and rapid iteration across strategy, planning, and project management.