In any job market – but perhaps never more than in today’s workforce – top talent can come and go in the blink of an eye. As the workplace evolves and technology advances, you could make the assumption that the majority of companies are nimble and poised to react quickly and efficiently to ensure they win the war for top talent. But this isn’t always the case.
Hiring is one of the most important decisions a company makes, and the risk of making a mistake causes some organizations to draw out the process. But doing so often results in losing top talent, slower productivity, significant revenue loss, a tarnished brand, and a raise in hiring costs. This is why hiring must be equally viewed as both a people decision and a business decision.
To keep your pipeline moving quickly when you need it most, follow these steps to consolidate hiring timelines:
Know What you Need
Having a clear idea of what the new role entails is key to hiring quickly. Is it full-time? Is there anything preventing you from hiring the right candidate now? What objectives should the role achieve? What skills are required? This will give you a much clearer picture of what you’re looking for in a new hire.
Company Alignment
Gather the stakeholders, get everyone’s commitment that hiring is the number one priority, and then set a timeline for the hiring process. Block calendars for interviews, review the job description, and determine who has the final sign off. With your team by your side, it will make it easier to align the process with your company values, a crucial part of hiring if your company’s success relies on its company culture.
Interview Candidates
To speed up the interview process, conduct screening interviews via Skype or FaceTime, consolidate in-person interviews to one day if possible, and get feedback immediately from the candidate and hiring managers to determine interest levels.
Communication is Key
Continue to have open lines of communication throughout the process. Inform candidates when you expect to make a final decision. If there is a delay, call them to give them an updated timeline. Silence can indicate a lack of interest and encourage top talent to pursue other roles.
Formal Offer
Make a verbal offer contingent on satisfactory reference and background checks. Be prepared to negotiate salary and perks, and set the start date.
Partner with ETS
Whether you’re a smaller company with a limited HR staff or a large organization working on hiring multiple positions, the reason for a delayed hiring process is probably largely out of your control. At ETS, our unparalleled resources set the tone for thriving hiring and retention strategies, that save you time and money. Check out our 10 Step Guide for Hiring Success here.
As the saying goes, timing is everything, and for organizations trying to hire it could make the difference between securing top talent and losing out.