Blog
Expediting the Hiring Process
The hiring process, though a necessary step for companies of all sizes, can be very time consuming, to say the least. Posting available positions, sorting through hundreds of applicants, going through several interviews, and finally selecting the best candidate can take months if you're not expeditious. However, speeding through the hiring process without giving much thought to the quality of candidates could leave you with high turnaround percentages, decreased productivity, wasted time, and a waste of staff resources. As such, it is imperative for hiring managers and human resource departments to periodically evaluate their hiring procedures and come up with ways to streamline the process.
Always Offer Internally
Sometimes the best way to fill an open position is to hire from within. If you have a great staff on hand, then many of them will jump at the opportunity to advance in their careers. Since you've already had an interview with them, and they already know what you're looking for, this eliminates the need for strenuous screening methods. It also improves employee morale, and saves your business a great deal of money and time.
Let Technology be Your Friend
Long gone are the days of positing job vacancies in the local newspaper and waiting for paper cover letters and resumes to be mailed to you for review. Now, more than ever, businesses are utilizing technology as a means to streamline their hiring process. Posting available positions online through job search databases and receiving electronic submissions is the ideal method for getting the word out and receiving responses from applicants. New technologies even allow for applicants to submit a video, which allows employers to get a better understanding of an applicant's personality as well.
Advertise Clearly and Plainly
A lot of time can be wasted in the hiring process when job descriptions and application instructions are not clearly defined. Hiring managers often complain of receiving an enormous amount of under qualified applications. When job descriptions are advertised it is important to make the description, experience requirements, and skills clear for all to understand. It is also important to make sure that application instructions are clear so that applicants know how to proceed. If not, you'll get a bunch of calls from interested applicants on how to complete the process.
Pre-Test or Screening Processes
Imagine having to interview twenty people, all for the same position, and finding out that none of them has what it takes? Pre-tests and screenings are a great way to avoid this and save some time. When applicants are interested in an available position with your company, have them complete a small test with questions that might help you to better determine their qualifications. Another option would be to have a mini phone screening, in which you give an overview of the position and ask the applicant some qualifying questions. If they pass the test or impress you during the phone screening, then you can invite them for an interview. This can cut your search time in half.
Outsource to Temp Agencies
Another option that is becoming more and more popular is outsourcing your hiring needs to a temp agency like Kelly Services. Particularly for businesses that are not equipped to complete a hiring process (maybe a small business that doesn't have a human resource department), outsourcing your hiring can save you a great deal of time and money. Since the applicants will have already gone through the screening processes and interviews with the temp agency, they've essentially done the hard part for you.
It goes without saying, that your company is only as good as the staff you have supporting you. As such, you want to make sure that you're hiring the best of the best to work for you. With that being said, spending too much time on the hiring process wastes a great deal of money and valuable time. The above-mentioned processes can be extremely beneficial in helping you to streamline your hiring process while still acquiring candidates that are suitable for your team.
Comments