Streamline Hiring Process to Increase Speed to Hire
The ongoing labor shortage is intensifying the competition for talent. To ensure they meet productivity goals and deadlines, many companies are beginning to reevaluate their hiring practices to get workers to their job sites more efficiently.
One solution that is catching on is easing hiring requirements. Aerotek Director of Strategic Sales, Quinn Heimann, has over a decade of recruiting experience. We spoke with her to learn which hiring requirements her clients are adjusting and why “speed-to-hire” is becoming a primary concern for potential candidates.
How a Candidate’s Market Is Driving the Need for Speed to Hire
Employers were beginning to ease hiring requirements prior to the labor shortage, but the trend is gaining traction as the shortage lingers.
With job seekers having more choices, companies that fail to streamline the hiring process are losing out. Outdated or overly complex procedures are leading to unfilled roles — and putting productivity and deadlines at risk.
“It's a candidate’s market right now. The candidates that do want to work and are looking for new opportunities, to make a move quickly and aren’t willing to wait long periods of time,” says Heimann.
Speed-to-hire has always been important, but it’s now a critical deciding factor for eager talent seeking quality work and to begin earning quickly.
Heimann points out that there are elements beyond a company’s control that impact their speed-to-hire. Many of the professionals who normally administer drug tests and physicals are now supporting the fight against COVID-19 by assisting with testing and vaccinations. This realignment in the workforce has slowed the testing and background check process, especially in smaller regions.
Remove Roadblocks to Reduce Time to Hire
While some background checks and drug screenings are required, employers can still take clear steps to streamline the hiring process.
The loosening of state and local regulations has created new opportunities for companies to expand their talent pool and meet their hiring goals. Many employers have updated their drug testing policy to eliminate THC testing in states where marijuana is legal.
Reducing the timeframe for background and credit checks is another way companies can create a wider selection of candidates. Heimann has seen several examples of companies shortening how far back their background and credit checks should go.
Businesses hesitant to alter their drug or background testing policies still have other opportunities to condense their hiring process.
“It’s not just about drug tests and physicals. It’s also about recognizing you’re putting a candidate through too many interviews before making your decision,” says Heimann.
When attempting to speed up the onboarding process, outdated internal processes are sometimes easier to change than how a company conducts background checks. Heimann recommends condensing your screening to focus on the candidate and the position that needs to be filled.
“I've worked with clients where they have candidates for a maintenance role take a maintenance test. If the test hasn’t been reviewed internally for five to 10 years, is it still relevant and necessary? Does it still give you the information you want?” asks Heimann.
Streamline the Hiring Process to Reduce Time to Hire and Maintain Quality
Speed to Hire, Simplified: FAQs on Reducing Hiring Time
Streamlining the hiring process means removing unnecessary steps that slow down candidate selection, such as redundant interviews, outdated skills tests, or excessive background checks. The goal is to reduce delays while maintaining quality standards.
2. How can I reduce the time to hire without lowering hiring standards?
Focus on evaluating only the skills and requirements essential to the role. You can also partner with a staffing agency to tap into pre-vetted talent and speed up screening and onboarding without sacrificing quality.
3. Why is speed to hire so important in today’s job market?
In a candidate-driven market, job seekers often choose the first strong offer they receive. Companies with faster hiring processes are more likely to secure top talent before the competition does.
4. What hiring requirements can employers ease to move faster?
Employers can consider adjusting drug testing policies (e.g., excluding THC in legal states), shortening background check timeframes, and reducing the number of interviews. These changes can significantly improve speed to hire.
5. Can staffing agencies help streamline the hiring process?
Yes. Staffing agencies specialize in screening candidates quickly and effectively. They often have pre-qualified workers ready to start, which helps reduce time to hire and improve placement success.