Survale, a leading provider of candidate and employee experience management solutions, announced the winners of the 2026 Global Candidate Experience Awards, recognizing 43 companies worldwide for their commitment to candidate experience excellence. The awards, part of the 15th annual CandE Benchmark Research and Awards Program now owned by Survale, are based on data from over 77,000 job candidates, making it the largest study of its kind.
The significance of these awards extends beyond mere recognition. In today's uncertain economy, characterized by what Survale describes as a 'low hire, low fire' dynamic, job seekers face lengthy searches while talent acquisition teams grapple with screening bottlenecks caused by increased AI application spam. As Kevin Grossman, VP of Benchmark Research at Survale, noted, 'real candidates will always remember how employers made them feel.' He added that candidates often feel alienated by quick rejections, sparse communications, and post-interview ghosting. Improving candidate experience, therefore, is not just ethical but a vital long-term investment in relationships, human connection, and sustainable business outcomes.
The rigorous selection process underscores the awards' credibility. Companies had to meet a statistically significant candidate response minimum, ensuring that the proportion of respondents who were not hired met or exceeded a set standard. Winners were determined by a comprehensive analysis of four key rating questions: candidates' overall ranking of their experience, their willingness to reapply, their likelihood to refer others, and how they would change their business relationship with the organization based on the experience. This analysis produced a final CandE Score for each participant.
This year, 66 organizations will receive 56 CandE Awards across four regions: North America, EMEA, APAC, and Latin America. The winners include global giants like Microsoft, Schneider Electric, and Enterprise Mobility, alongside smaller enterprises such as Erie Architectural Products and Family Care Center LLC. For a complete listing of winners by final ranking, visit the Survale CandE Winner page.
The implications for employers are clear: in a competitive talent market, candidate experience directly impacts employer brand and future hiring success. Companies that prioritize empathy, transparency, and genuine human connection are better positioned to attract and retain top talent. Moreover, CandE-winning companies are asked to share their unique approaches through case studies, which will inform research reports and be considered for the Most Innovative Candidate Experience Improvement Awards. These awards will be presented at a virtual ceremony on October 15, with registration open to all recruiting leaders and their teams.
Survale's Talent Feedback Platform provides an 'Always On' solution for gathering and acting on experiential data from candidates, recruiters, hiring managers, and employees throughout the talent lifecycle. This data offers recruiting leadership unprecedented insights into recruitment operations and quality of hire, enabling optimization and alignment around common metrics. As the home of the CandE Benchmark Research Program, Survale continues to drive industry focus on candidate experience and its business value. For more information, visit survale.com.
