In today's competitive job market, refining your hiring process is crucial for both attracting and retaining top talent.
According to the British Business Bank, the estimated cost of hiring a new employee is £3,000. Making this investment without refining your hiring process could potentially place your business in en endless cycle - you'll be investing in new team members, but they may not be the right fit, leading you back to where you started.
A well-refined hiring process will save time and optimise your recruitment costs, and it can also increase the likelihood of finding the right fit for your business.
We're going to outline some actionable ways to refine your hiring process, and we've covered a broad spectrum of considerations - from firming up on your job descriptions, to enhancing your interview process.
What does a 'good hiring process' look like?
A good hiring process is characterised by clear communication, efficiency, and a focus on finding the right fit for both the candidate and the company. In effective hiring processes, the goal goes beyond adding a new name to payroll - it's about finding a candidate that is as passionate about the company as the company is about them.
If you're currently reviewing your own hiring process, then a great starting point is to examine your existing approach to how you advertise for new team members. .
Review your current hiring process
The first step in refining your hiring process is to analyse your current recruitment performance metrics. This could be the success rate, number of engaged candidates, and even the time it takes between posting a job ad and signing the contract.
We'd advise internal recruitment teams to get in touch with all engaged candidates - whether they dropped out of the hiring process, or were interviewed but not offered the role. Both types of candidates have first hand experience of your hiring process, and are therefore the best people to ask.
It's also not advisable to rule out feedback from those who chose not to join your business, despite being offered the role they'd applied for.
To help you to get started with refining your internal hiring process, think about some of the following questions:
How long on average does it take to get from placing a job ad to hiring the right candidate?
How would you rate the quality of the candidates applying for the job you're hiring for?
How much is it costing you to hire for new recruits?
Is your recruitment budget being used effectively?
Would you say your hiring process is an 'easy' process? Would candidates agree?
These considerations can help you figure out where to improve your hiring process.
Ways to improve your recruitment process
Once you know which areas you should focus on to improve your hiring performance and effectiveness, you can start actioning some changes. We've detailed some of the ways that companies can address different areas of their current hiring processes below.
Defining Job Requirements
At the heart of every successful hire lies a well-defined job description. Take the time to meticulously outline the role's responsibilities, qualifications, and must-have skills. This blueprint sets the stage for your entire hiring process, ensuring clarity and alignment from the get-go.
The job description is the initial stage of finding the right candidate. By clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of the job you’re hiring for, candidates themselves will understand whether it’s right for them. This cuts down the time spent sifting through CVs that aren’t right, and more time spent on the candidates that are.
Crafting compelling job postings
In a sea of job postings, yours needs to stand out to prospective candidates. Add personality into your job ads, and don't shy away from weaving in your company culture. Use language that resonates with your ideal candidates, and don’t forget to get your key points across to make sure you’re finding the right person.
Leveraging multiple channels to support your recruitment efforts
Once a candidate has an awareness of your company, they'll most likely begin doing some of their own research to understand more about their prospective employer. This is why your presence on different channels matters, as often, it's a touchpoint for first impressions. While it might seem hard to join the dots between your hiring process and your social media platforms, a potential candidate will make this connection almost immediately.
Investing your time and resources in developing a strong, engaging employer brand presence on LinkedIn, X, or TikTok (for your generation Z candidates!) is invaluable in the hiring process. It'll give you an opportunity to showcase what life is like at your company, and you'll be able to add personable elements to support this.
Streamlining the screening process
With a flood of applications pouring in, efficiency is key. Implement applicant tracking systems to streamline the screening process and sift through candidates with ease.
Incorporating pre-employment assessments or skills tests into the screening process can provide valuable insights into candidates' capabilities and suitability for the role. Whether it's a technical assessment, personality questionnaire, or situational judgement test, these assessments offer an objective measure of candidates' qualifications, helping to identify the most promising candidates early on.
Conducting effective interviews
Effective interviews go beyond surface-level assessments, delving deep into candidates' skills, experiences, and cultural alignment. If you aren't doing so already, explore ways to craft thought-provoking questions that reveal a candidate's true potential and suitability for the role. Embracing behavioural interview techniques highlights candidates' past behaviours and decision-making processes, offering valuable insights into their problem-solving abilities and performance under pressure.
By conducting candidate interviews that delve beyond the surface, recruiters can identify candidates who not only meet the job requirements but also possess the qualities and traits that align with the company's values.
Hire a recruitment expert
Whether you’re hiring for specialised roles, hard-to-fill positions or just need additional support whilst hiring, a recruitment agency partner can take the hassle out of your talent search.
As a reputable London recruitment agency, we have access to extensive networks and industry expertise, allowing us to identify and attract high-quality candidates.
Ultimately, refining your hiring process is about firming up on exactly what a 'good hire' looks like for your company, then working back from here. By adopting this approach, you'll create a blueprint that can improve your hiring process in the long run.
Looking to streamline your hiring process with the help of an expert recruitment agency in London? Get in touch with us today, and benefit from experience-backed advice and our industry expertise across digital marketing recruitment, recruitment for human resources, and office admin, EA & PA recruitment. Alternatively, take a look at our job board to find out which roles we're actively taking applications for.