Survale, a provider of talent feedback and experience management solutions, has announced that registration is now open for the 2026 Candidate Experience (CandE) Benchmark Research and Award Program. Now in its 15th year, the program is recognized as the industry’s longest-running benchmark research program, providing organizations with data to measure and optimize recruiting processes.
The 2026 CandE Program allows employers to benchmark their candidate experience against global peers using a methodology that captures confidential feedback from job seekers at all hiring stages, from pre-application to onboarding. This feedback reveals the impact of recruiting efforts on employer brand and business outcomes.
“We are proud to kick off the 15th year of the CandEs, a program that has defined the standard for candidate experience excellence,” said Jason Moreau, CEO of Survale. “By combining this prestigious research with Survale's powerful analytics technology, we are giving talent leaders the actionable intelligence they need to not just measure sentiment, but to drive real operational change. There is no better way for an organization to validate their recruiting strategy.”
Participants in the program receive access to a “lite” version of Survale’s analytics platform, enabling them to benchmark globally, uncover perception gaps between recruiters and candidates, gain expert insight through one-on-one consultations, and earn recognition as 2026 CandE Award Winners if they achieve high candidate satisfaction ratings.
“Candidate expectations continue to evolve, and in any competitive hiring market, understanding those expectations is paramount,” said Kevin Grossman, VP of CandE Benchmark Research at Survale. “The CandE Program goes beyond simple metrics; it provides a deep dive into candidate resentment, fairness, and the business impact of the hiring experience. We invite organizations of all sizes to join us in 2026 to measure what matters and celebrate their success.”
Registration for the 2026 Candidate Experience Benchmark Research and Award Program is now open. To learn more about the methodology, benefits, and timeline, or to register, visit https://survale.com/candes/.
In honor of National Candidate Experience Day, Survale will host a webinar presenting findings from the 2025 CandE Research Program on January 21 at 11 AM PT. Register for the webinar here.
