A recent Glassdoor study found that the average hiring process in the U.S. took 23 days in 2014, jumping from 13 days in 2010—the upward trend is also seen in Europe, Canada and Australia.
As many of you know, time can kill a deal for a recruiter. So where is the line drawn between being thorough and taking too much time to fill a position?
There are a number of reasons that cause filling a job order to be prolonged, from a lengthy interview process to the economy.
Hiring the wrong person can cost dearly, so some companies have become so selective with their requirements that it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And yes, it’s important to thoroughly vet candidates for not only critical competencies, but also the cultural fit – possessing soft skills and growth potential. But subjecting candidates to interview after interview can cause a candidate to lose interest.
When and if a client finally finds that perfect candidate, they may be so frustrated at the process that they back out — in this market where opportunities are plentiful and they can take their time and pick and choose the best, and more decisive companies.
When a job order is open for too long, it can actually damage your client’s image – from frustrated candidates sharing negative experiences, to a perception that the company is disorganized or indecisive.
So what can you do? Let your client know that you’re the one to do the heavy lifting – identifying quality candidates, vetting their skills, and conducting their references.
Help your client nail down exactly what they’re looking for, because not having a clear idea will lead to a lot of lost time.
Just as bad as an ambiguous order is an unrealistic wish list – this is where your expertise as a recruiter comes in; Let them know what is available in the market and the going salaries for those candidates.
In addition, it’s important to constantly communicate with your candidates – give feedback after interviews. Quality candidates will likely get many offers, so it’s important to make them feel valued.
Does your client take too long to hire? Give him this blog to read, which outlines four of the most damaging results from a slow hiring process, with links to even more resources.
