From Candidate Application to Onboarding: Elevate Your Hiring Process

Did you know that 60% of candidates abandon their applications if the application process is too lengthy or complicated? That is why companies must fill open positions quickly with the right candidates to stay ahead. However, many organizations may not fully grasp how much time the hiring process consumes, including reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and onboarding new employees. This extended hiring period can significantly impact on a company’s overall performance. Understanding the “time to hire” allows businesses to streamline their hiring process and effectively bring top talent on board.

Table of Contents:

• The Hiring Process
• Application Review
• Interview Process
• Impact of High Turnover
• Streamlining the Process
• Benefits of Faster Hiring
• Conclusion
• FAQs

The Hiring Process: An Overview

The time it takes to hire a new employee can vary greatly depending on the industry. For instance, sectors like hospitality might have faster hiring timelines, typically around ten days. On the other hand, industries such as healthcare, technology, or corporate sectors can see hiring timelines extend to 6 to 9 weeks. A report from Glassdoor indicates that the average time to hire across all industries is around 23.8 days, highlighting the need for efficient hiring practices to prevent delays that can negatively impact a company’s efficiency and profitability.

The Importance of Application Review

One of the most time-consuming aspects of the hiring process for hiring managers and recruiters is reviewing applications. The sheer volume of applications, especially for corporate roles, can be overwhelming. On average, each application is reviewed for approximately five minutes. Hundreds of applications may come in for a single position, so this can easily add up to over 20 hours of resume review for just one role.

A more structured recruitment strategy is crucial to make this process efficient. A clear job description can attract candidates who are genuinely qualified, reducing the number of unfit applications. Additionally, companies can implement strategies such as:

• Skills Assessments: These can be used early to screen out unqualified candidates, so only those who meet the basic job requirements move forward.
• Video Introductions: Requiring applicants to submit short videos can be another effective screening tool. It helps recruiters get a better sense of the candidate’s personality and communication skills before proceeding to the interview stage.
• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Using an ATS can help recruiters automate the application process, including tasks like resume screening and keyword searches, significantly reducing the manual workload.
• Talent acquisition Agencies: Outsourcing some or all of the hiring process to a Talent acquisition agency can also be a powerful solution. These agencies specialize in finding and vetting candidates quickly, saving companies time and effort.

By optimizing the application review stage, companies can free up valuable time and focus on hiring the best talent rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Compunnel partnered with one of the largest healthcare managed service providers i USA, responsible for filling critical Nursing, Allied Health, and Pharmacy positions. The stakes were high, as the client urgently needed healthcare professionals ready to work around the clock to treat COVID-19 patients. With tight timelines and budgetary constraints, the challenge demanded swift action and seamless onboarding.

Compunnel’s solution was rooted in collaboration. Recruiters across four offices joined forces, leveraging their collective expertise to meet the surge in demand. By working together as a unified team, they scaled hiring efforts rapidly, ensuring the client’s needs were met with precision.

Also Read: Download the case study to explore the full solution

The Interview Process: Time-Consuming but Crucial

The interview process is one of the most critical stages of hiring, as it allows companies to assess a candidate’s fit for both the role and the company culture. However, the interview phase can also be a significant source of delays. On average, the interview process can take between 24 to 38 days, with many companies conducting multiple rounds of interviews.

Here are some ways to make interviews more efficient:

• Efficiency in Scheduling: Instead of spreading interviews over several weeks, companies can consolidate interview rounds. For instance, combining phone screenings with initial interviews or conducting group interviews can save time.
• Structured Interviews: Developing standardized interview questions can help ensure consistency across candidates, leading to a more objective evaluation process. This can also speed up decision-making, as interviewers won’t have to rely solely on subjective impressions.
• Candidate Experience: Clear communication with candidates about interview timelines and expectations is essential. A positive experience during the interview process, even for candidates who don’t get selected, can enhance a company’s employer brand. Candidates with good experience are more likely to refer others to the company, even if they don’t land the job themselves.

Streamlining the interview process reduces the overall time to hire and ensures that companies are still making thoughtful, informed decisions about their hires.

The Impact of High Turnover

A slow or inefficient hiring process can lead to increased employee turnover, especially when the candidate’s expectations are not aligned with the realities of the job. Statistics show that 61% of employees reported that their jobs differed from what was portrayed during the interview. This mismatch can lead to dissatisfaction and early resignations, negatively affecting both company morale and productivity.

Here’s how the hiring process can contribute to higher turnover:

• Top Talent Moves Quickly: Talented candidates are often considering multiple job offers. A slow hiring process can signal to these candidates that the company may not be serious about hiring them, causing them to accept offers from other companies.
• Onboarding Delays: The time between offering a job and the candidate’s start date can also impact turnover. If too much time passes, new hires may lose interest or start exploring other opportunities, increasing the chances of them leaving before they even begin or shortly thereafter.
• Strain on Existing Employees: Long hiring timelines mean that current employees have to pick up the slack for the vacant position. This added pressure can lead to burnout, decreased morale, and lower productivity, making it harder for the company to retain its existing workforce.

Prioritizing a streamlined and efficient hiring process can reduce turnover, improve employee satisfaction, and ultimately strengthen the company’s workforce.

Streamlining the Hiring Process

To minimize the time to hire while maintaining the quality of new hires, companies can adopt several strategies to improve efficiency at every stage of the hiring process. Here’s a recap of the key strategies:

1. Optimized Application Review: Companies can quickly filter out unqualified candidates and focus on those who meet their needs by using tools like applicant tracking systems, video introductions, and skills assessments.
2. Efficient Interviews: Structuring interviews and consolidating interview rounds can reduce the time spent on this stage while ensuring that candidates are properly evaluated. Standardized questions ensure fairness and objectivity.
3. Focus on Candidate Experience: Providing clear and timely communication during the hiring process can leave a positive impression on candidates, contributing to the company’s employer brand.
4. Leveraging Talent Acquisition Agencies: Working with a Talent acquisition agency can provide a more efficient solution for companies with high-volume hiring needs or limited internal resources. Agencies can handle the bulk of the screening and interviewing process, allowing the company to focus on final decisions.

The Benefits of a Faster Hiring Process

Implementing these strategies can lead to a range of benefits for businesses:

• Reduced Costs: A faster hiring process reduces the financial burden associated with prolonged vacancies, such as lost productivity and the extra workload placed on existing employees.
• Improved Candidate Experience: Candidates who go through a streamlined, well-organized hiring process are more likely to have a positive view of the company, even if they aren’t selected. This can help the company attract top talent in the future.
• Stronger Workforce: By attracting and hiring top talent more quickly, companies can build a strong and engaged workforce that drives business success

Partner with Compunnel for a Faster, More Effective Hiring Process

At Compunnel, we believe that a faster hiring process doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Our hiring solutions are designed to help you find the right talent quickly and efficiently, ensuring a positive experience for both candidates and your team. Whether you need help with application screening, interviews, or onboarding, we’ve got you covered.

With 30 years of experience in talent acquisition & workforce management, we understand what it takes to reduce the time to hire while maintaining high standards. Let us help you build a strong, engaged workforce that drives your business forward.

Ready to get started? Connect with Compunnel today and find out how we can streamline your hiring process!

FAQs

1. How can applicant tracking systems (ATS) help streamline hiring?

ATS automates repetitive tasks like resume screening, keyword filtering, and communication with candidates, reducing manual workload and shortening the hiring time.

2. What are the benefits of using Talent acquisition agencies for hiring?

Talent acquisition agencies can expedite the hiring process by pre-screening candidates, managing initial interviews, and reducing the time-to-hire for companies with high-volume or specialized needs.

3. How does an extended interview process affect candidate retention?

A lengthy interview process can result in top candidates accepting other offers or losing interest, which could increase turnover and delay filling crucial roles.

4. How does candidate experience impact a company’s hiring success?

A positive candidate experience improves a company’s employer brand, making it easier to attract top talent in the future, even if candidates don’t get hired immediately.

5. What strategies can prevent high employee turnover after onboarding?

Streamlining the onboarding process, providing clear job expectations, and maintaining good communication between hiring and start dates help reduce turnover and ensure long-term employee satisfaction.