Recruitment is more than just hiring; it’s a strategic process that can significantly improve your business. However, many HR managers and hiring teams often encounter recurring issues like prolonged interview scheduling, high candidate dropout rates, and low engagement on job postings. At Work Friendly, our recruitment services address these underlying obstacles AND help you source the right talent for your roles.
The Hidden Challenges of Recruitment
Too often, hiring teams face informal processes, lack of interview training, and unclear job listings that contribute to common issues like, “Why can’t we find the right personnel fit?”, “Why is it taking so long to find talent?”, and “Why do we have such high turnover rates?” Let’s explore some key areas that often pose challenges in recruitment and how addressing them can transform your hiring process.
Time and Efficiency
A prolonged interview scheduling process can deter candidates. Nearly 49% of candidates have withdrawn from a recruitment process because it took too long to schedule an interview. Efficient scheduling is critical, as it occupies about 42% of recruiting teams’ time, with the biggest challenges being interviewer availability and back-and-forth communication (Cronofy, GoodTime).
Tip: Utilize automated scheduling tools to streamline the process and reduce back-and-forth communication. This can save time and create a more efficient workflow for your recruiting team.
Candidate Experience
The interview process heavily influences a candidate’s perception of a company. Around 72% of candidates report that the smoothness of the interview process affects their decision to accept a job offer. Conversely, a negative experience can lead to candidates withdrawing their applications, with 83% saying a bad interview experience changes their view of the company negatively (Cronofy, TeamStage).
Tip: Ensure that every touchpoint in the interview process is positive and professional. Regularly seek feedback from candidates to continuously improve their experience.
Hiring Manager Challenges
Hiring managers face several hurdles during the interview process, including high turnover within recruiting teams and the need for constant adjustments in hiring policies. These challenges have contributed to only 48% of companies meeting their hiring goals in 2022, down from 50% the previous year. Increased recruiter turnover and the need for efficiency and automation in scheduling interviews are also prominent issues (GoodTime). Another common challenge for hiring managers is lack of training and previous exposure to recruitment and hiring processes.
Tip: Invest in training and support for your recruiting team to reduce turnover. Implementing efficient processes and automation can also help hiring managers focus on strategic tasks rather than logistical challenges. It’s also important to educate your hiring teams and include topics like unconscious bias to their training curriculum.
Interview Process Length
The average length of the interview process can vary significantly by industry. For instance, roles in the hospitality industry have a shorter process, averaging about 10 days, while corporate roles can take much longer. The entire process from application to job offer typically spans 24-38 days (TeamStage).
Tip: Set clear timelines for each stage of the interview process and communicate them to candidates. This transparency helps manage expectations and keeps the process moving smoothly.
Automation and Technology
There’s a significant move towards using interview scheduling software, with 59% of recruiters who use such tools saving between 2 to 10 hours per week. Automation is seen as a way to improve the quality of hires and enhance candidate experience, with 75% of HR professionals agreeing on its benefits (Withe, GoodTime).
Tip: Implement automation tools to handle repetitive tasks such as scheduling interviews, sending follow-up emails, and tracking candidate progress. This allows your team to focus on higher-value activities.
Candidate Dropout and Ghosting
Candidate dropout is a growing concern, with 39% of employers reporting increased instances of candidates cutting off communication during the hiring process. Poor interview processes and alternative job offers are major reasons for this behavior (Robert Half).
Tip: Maintain regular communication with candidates throughout the hiring process. Provide updates and check-ins to keep them engaged and informed about their application status.
Recruiting is more than just filling positions—it’s about creating a strategy that enhances every aspect of your business. By addressing the challenges in time management, candidate experience, hiring manager support, interview process length, and automation, you can transform your recruitment strategy.
At Work Friendly, we specialize in HR consulting, including fractional HR services. We help growing businesses refine their recruitment processes to attract and retain top talent efficiently.
Get started with Work Friendly’s expert recruitment services today.
