Becca Solnit

To gain a competitive edge in today’s job market, employers must streamline recruiting processes.

At the start of 2022, active job seekers were submitting nearly twice as many applications as they were in 2021. With candidates having more and more job opportunities to consider, employers must work even harder to keep them engaged in the recruiting process.

Minimize Time Spent Recruiting

During the application stage, the majority of candidates are willing to engage with 4 or more employers at the same time. By the first-round interview, however, most candidates are willing to engage with 1 to 3 employers. 

As the recruiting process continues and candidates begin to consider fewer options, moving candidates forward to a first interview quickly can help edge out competitors. Plus, it will ensure that your top candidates get the chance to interview. 

Prioritize Timely Communication

In addition to a shorter recruiting process, quick response time will keep job seekers more engaged and interested in your job opportunity.

More than 6 in 10 candidates have dropped out of a recruitment process because of employer-related delays (e.g., it took too long to hear back about an application or to schedule a first interview).

“If I’m not hearing from you, I’m assuming that it is a ‘no.’ So, I’m going to move on with other opportunities,” one candidate said in an in-depth interview with Veris Insights.  

Most candidates expect to hear back from potential employers within a week of taking a screening call or having a first-round interview, but they want a shorter turnaround as they progress in the process. For instance, half of candidates want to hear back after a final-round interview in less than a week.

To go a step further, consider providing candidates with an overview of your recruiting timeline so they can calibrate their expectations accordingly.

In today’s increasingly competitive job market, it’s essential to streamline recruiting processes to keep applicants engaged. Prioritize quick response time and movement in the process to minimize the likelihood of candidates dropping out of your pipeline.