How to speed up your hiring process (8 tips)

With the talent drought biting harder than ever, you can assume that any good candidate is looking at other offers besides yours. 

That means you need to speed up your hiring process–or risk seeing your best applicant snapped up by your rivals before you can get their name on a contract. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to reduce your time to hire. 

1. Create an inbound and candidate database

Don’t worry, you don’t necessarily need to buy candidate sourcing software. But you do need to set up some kind of system for inbound talent acquisition before you start placing job ads. The system could simply be a “Careers” page on your website with an online form, or a dedicated email address or filter on your main company email address for applicants.

Even if you’re not currently hiring, have some way for candidates who are interested in working with you to submit their CVs. This will give you the foundations of a database you can refer to when you are hiring.

2. Use social hiring

Candidates look to social media to work out if your company will be a good fit for them. That means social media is a great place to showcase your company culture and build relationships with potential applicants. 

To make working for you more attractive, highlight examples of how you’re investing in your employees’ professional growth. Make sure you post your job ads on social media too.

3. Leverage employee referrals

Another early step that will build you a foundation for the long term: use your team’s professional network to your advantage by offering employees a bonus or some other reward for referrals. It’s a quick and cost-effective way to build up your candidate database.

4. Write quality job ads

Investing time in your job ads will save you time during the screening process. A high-quality advert with plenty of detail will give candidates an accurate idea of what the role entails and what you’re looking for.

Don’t be afraid to be honest in your job ads–-it’s the best way to attract candidates who’ll be a good fit. You may receive fewer applications, but applicants will know what kind of role they’re applying for, which will speed up your hiring process and increase your chances of making a successful hire.

5. Optimise your application process

An easier application process means a faster hiring process. It’ll give you more applicants over a shorter time period. Find out the average time it takes candidates to complete your current application process, and whether it’s easy for them to apply using their phones.

6. Use video or phone interviews

In-person interviews take more time to coordinate, as you need to take travel time and distance into account. Be more flexible and incorporate video or telephone interviews into your process to save time and attract talent from further afield.

7. Set criteria and stick to them

Create clear criteria for the experience, skills and attributes you want candidates to have, and then stick to them. You’re bound to receive applications from people who don’t meet the criteria, and there’s no harm in holding onto their CVs for the future, but focus on interviewing people who do meet your criteria. 

8. Work with a recruitment specialist

While there are many aspects of hiring you can handle in-house, if you want to speed up your hiring process there’s no substitute for the advice of an expert. They can not only help you speed up hiring but also ensure that your hiring process is effective and connects you with the right people for the job. If you’d like to take advantage of our expertise, get in touch with us today.