Yes. You can give a candidate a thank you gift, monetary or otherwise, when they interview with you. We would recommend establishing a process for providing thank you gifts to ensure consistency and equity in determining who receives them. You could provide a gift when candidates reach a certain point in the process (e.g., the final round) or give them to those interviewing for a certain level of position within your organization (e.g., director or executive).
We’d also recommend reaching out to your CPA or tax expert to understand any tax implications.
This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.
Answer from Laura, MA, SHRM-CP:
Laura has 9 years of HR experience, spanning public- and private-sector work in the education, transit, and insurance industries. After completing a B.A. in Asian Studies from Knox College, she received her M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from University of New Haven along with graduate-level certificates in Human Resources Management and Psychology of Conflict Management. Laura enjoys fencing, baking, and cross-stitching.
