7 Ways to Speed up the Hiring Process
Hiring managers know that filling a job role can be quite time consuming. At times it may take months as they review applications and conduct interviews in search of a candidate.
However, if a job advert remains active for a period it can trigger a series of repercussions that could lead to financial losses in today's rapidly evolving market. For instance, when the hiring process exceeds two months 60 percent of candidates might opt out of submitting their applications, underscoring this pressing concern.¹
Because of this, speeding up the hiring process is important to get the best people and save money simultaneously. Implementing these tips can help speed up your hiring process.
How to Speed up the Hiring Process
Want to know how to speed up your hiring process? Here are some tips.
1. Implement a Structured Interview Process
Having a clear interview plan makes hiring faster and better. Everyone gets asked the same questions to make it fair. It's also easier to see the best fit because you compare apples to apples. Moreover, you don't waste time thinking up new questions for each person. This streamlined candidate evaluation helps you find the right hire quickly.
2. Look Internally
Hiring can be tedious and time-consuming, with external hiring costing 18-20 percent more. This is because of the expenses associated with training and orientations.
A study done by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in 2022 suggests that hiring the wrong person can cost a business up to 30 times the annual salary of the person they hire.² Looking internally can save time and costs and ease the transition because you are hiring someone who already knows the office and the job's duties.
Promoting internally also boosts morale and motivates employees. When employees know they could be promoted, they are more likely to think outside the box and show why they are the best candidates. This speeds up the recruiting process and increases employee productivity.
3. Be Simple and Visible
Gone are the days of the general “help wanted” ads in the newspaper. In today's job market, it is crucial to simplify your recruitment strategies to improve the overall hiring experience. Simple actions like writing a compelling job description and streamlining the interview process can help companies with the right talent pool and reduce the hiring process timeline.
A study of over 500,000 online job applicants revealed that recruiters can significantly increase conversion rates by up to 365 percent by shortening job descriptions to a range of 250 to 2000 words.³ The study also suggested shortening the initial application process to five minutes or less.
Here are some ways you can optimize your hiring workflow:
- Utilize social media and job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed.com for easy applications.
- Increase job opening visibility by posting on various platforms.
- Write compelling job descriptions that highlight job responsibilities and exciting aspects.
- Shorten job descriptions to 250-2000 words to boost conversion rates.
- Focus on the job's value to the company and how the candidate can make a difference.
- Incorporate relevant keywords in the description to improve search engine rankings and speed up the hiring process.
Here's how you can streamline the interview process:
- Reduce the number of interviews for low-level jobs.
- Set a set list of questions for each interview round.
- Consider remote interviews for candidates in different locations or those interested in remote work.
4. Know What You are Looking For
Knowing what you need in a new hire is key, but technology can make finding them even faster. Recruitment automation tools like an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can automatically sort resumes based on keywords. Meanwhile, AI-powered chatbots can answer basic questions and free up your time for more important tasks.
Even job interviews can be faster with video platforms like Zoom. All this automation can cut hiring time by 20-30 percent, making it a smoother process for everyone.
Read More: 8 Things An Employer Needs to Know When Hiring Gen Zs
5. Communicate Effectively
As the conduit between the company and the candidates, it is your job to relay important information. To speed up the hiring process, you must stay organized and communicate effectively between parties.
It's common for candidates to be interested in other companies, but hiring managers often wait over two weeks to inform them. A poll found that many people who interview for jobs get work offers within a week. This suggests that every day your recruitment process drags on, a competitor could snatch away your dream candidate.
Emailing candidates about the hiring process can make them feel included and keep the company top-of-mind. If a candidate decides to take another role, it can help streamline the process. Keeping the company informed about the candidate's situation can also help speed up the hiring process.
Here are email templates you could use:
Email sample 1: Set expectations - Communicate the hiring timeline to Candidates
Subject: Thanks for being interested in the [Job Title] opening at [Your Company Name].
Hello [Name of Candidate],
Thanks for your interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Your skills and knowledge are impressive. We will review all the applications as part of our hiring process. We plan to finish this first screening in [number] working days.
If you made the shortlist, you could expect an email inviting you to set up an interview within [number] working days after the screening is over. You would also get an email letting you know if you didn't make the shortlist.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about [Company Name]. Please visit our website at [Company website link] to learn more about [Company Name].
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Many thanks,
The [Company Name] Hiring Team.
Email Sample 2: Hiring Update - Communicate the Hiring Updates to the Company
Subject: Update on [Job Title] Candidate Search - [Candidate Name]
Dear [Manager Name],
This email provides an update on the search for the [Job Title] position. We're committed to finding the perfect candidate for your team and are actively working to speed up the process.
Candidate Update:
We're pleased to share that we've identified a strong candidate, [Candidate Name], who aligns well with the qualifications and experience outlined in the job description. Here's a brief overview of their background:
[List 2-3 key skills or experiences relevant to the job description]
Next Steps:
To further streamline the process, we propose the following:
Candidate Interview: We've scheduled a preliminary phone interview with [Candidate Name] for [Date] at [Time]. We'll discuss their qualifications and assess their suitability for the role.
Your Feedback: Following the interview, we'll summarize [Candidate Name]'s responses to key questions and our initial impressions. Please let us know if you'd like to be included in the interview, or if you have any specific questions you'd like us to ask.
Quick Decision Timeline: We aim to have a final decision on this candidate by [Date] to minimize waiting time for both you and the candidate.
We'll keep you updated on the progress throughout the search. Please reach out if you have any questions or need more information.
Thank you for your time and continued partnership.
Sincerely,
The [Staffing Agency Name] Team
6. Review References
Hiring often involves reviewing references, which can be time-consuming and slow. To speed up the hiring process, it is recommended to ask for references during the first round of interviews or on the application itself. This can save time as some references may not respond immediately.
Internal references, such as friends or coworkers, can also be beneficial. If the intentions are good and the candidate is qualified, this can help speed up the hiring process and make everyone's jobs easier.
7. Make a Strong Offer
Find out the average salary and benefits in your field to ensure your offer is competitive and appeals to the best candidates. When inflation is high, it might be a good idea to consider reducing the cost of living.
You also want to emphasize your organizational culture and the advantages of being part of your team. This could appeal to people who want to work in a positive setting.
STILL FEELING LIKE YOUR HIRING PROCESS IS SLOW? LET US HELP!
Don't let a sluggish hiring process drain your resources and cause you to miss out on top talent. If you've tried every trick in the book but are still falling behind, Allied OneSource can help.
With our fast, flexible, and cost-effective solutions, you can streamline candidate sourcing, screening, and onboarding - giving you a competitive edge in today's talent marketplace. Reach out today to put your hiring on the fast track.
References
- “The Real Costs of Recruitment.” Society for Human Resource Management., 2023, www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/real-costs-recruitment. Accessed 22 Apr. 2024.
- “Study: Most Job Seekers Abandon Online Job Applications.” Society for Human Resource Management, 2023, www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/technology/study-job-seekers-abandon-online-job-applications.
- “Refocusing on ‘Screening in’ and More Recruiting Trends in 2022.” Society for Human Resource Management, 2022,
www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/refocusing-screening-recruiting-trends-2022.
