In today’s job market, hiring companies don’t have the luxury of time. The days of taking months to make a hiring decision are gone, as top candidates are likely to have multiple job offers during that time. It’s crucial to develop strategies for a fast yet comprehensive hiring process.

Time to Hire

The average time to hire varies depending on the industry and the seniority of the position. Executive-level searches naturally take longer than entry-level positions. On average, the hiring process takes about 44 days.

While speed is important, finding the right candidate is crucial. Hiring and training a new employee can cost between $7,000 and $28,000. Striking a balance between speed and quality in the hiring process is key to securing top talent.

Here are some strategies to help make your hiring process more efficient:

1. Write a Good Job Description

Ensure that your job description targets the right candidates for the position. Use a searchable title and include relevant keywords in the job description to make it easily discoverable. Highlight not only the requirements and core skills but also the benefits of working for your organization, such as compensation, culture, benefits, and growth opportunities. Learn more about writing a killer job description here.

2. Promote the Job in the Right Places

Research where your candidates spend their time online and advertise your job postings there. Platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed are good starting points, but consider exploring other avenues such as social media, membership groups, or specialized job boards.

3. Mobile-Friendly Application

With over 67% of job applications completed on a mobile device in 2021, a mobile-friendly application process can increase the number of job applicants by 11.6%, reaching more passive candidates.

4. Use an ATS

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can help you organize candidates and automate tasks in the hiring process. It allows you to track candidates who have applied to other positions in the past and automate postings to various job boards, helping you stay organized throughout the process.

5. Leverage Recruiters

Recruiters can expedite the hiring process with their network of candidates, both active and passive. They can help you find candidates with specific skill sets and pre-screen them, ensuring that the resumes you receive closely match your open position.

6. Set Goals

Before beginning the candidate search, it’s crucial to set goals and expectations with the hiring team. Ensure everyone is aligned on the process and timelines for each step. Establish hard deadlines for receiving feedback on resumes and interviews from team members if necessary.

7. Eliminate Unnecessary Steps

Evaluate the current hiring process during the goal-setting meeting to identify inefficiencies. Are there too many steps? Can interviews be combined? Is the application process cumbersome? Analyze the process to use time efficiently and keep candidates engaged while allowing your team enough time to make decisions.

8. Communication and Transparency

Even with a perfect timeline, unexpected delays can occur. Keep candidates informed about any changes or delays. Transparency creates a better experience for candidates, increasing the likelihood of them joining your company now or in the future.

 

Focusing on these strategies will help to make your hiring process smooth for all parties involved. If you are considering leveraging a recruiter, we can be of assistance. Please reach out and we can discuss how we can partner with you to get you some great candidates and save you time.