8 ways to simplify your hiring process

Whether you're just starting out as an enterprise or you're an established small business, hiring the right people is absolutely critical to ensuring your company succeeds in the long term. Among the issues that many businesses encounter as they're staffing up, however, include  finding highly qualified candidates, or completing the hiring process in a timely a fashion.

The latter issue can help to feed the former, especially in a deeply competitive employment environment like the one that exists today. When companies have inefficient hiring processes, they're more likely to lose attractive applicants to companies who have their act together. Even a delay of a few extra days in a hiring decision can lead to lost opportunities.

With that in mind, companies need to do more to simplify and expedite every hiring decision they make if they truly want to gain the benefit of the best candidates. Below are eight tips to do just that:

1) Clarify the listings

One of the biggest stumbling blocks hiring managers – especially those with little or no help in the hiring process, which is common at smaller companies – encounter is sifting through many applications from people who aren't properly qualified for the position, according to Job Monkey. That often comes because companies don't do a good enough job of defining the role in the listing, leading to more people who are either under- or over-qualified to apply. Even a few extra minutes spent on each applicant of those types can add up quickly, so making the necessary qualifications as clear as possible is a must.

2) Improve the application process

Among the top turn-offs for any job applicant is when a company has an overly complicated or confusing process by which they submit their cover letters or resumes, Job Monkey recommended. For instance, many companies use online forms, which can be a great way to get information, but when people have to enter the same details multiple times, or attach a copy of their resume while also putting the same information into a form, that can be frustrating and lead to them simply pulling out of the process prematurely.

It's vital to make sure your hiring process is a simple and efficient as possible.

3) Utilize technology

There are many types of technologies that may be available to companies on just about any budget that can help them make better, faster hiring decisions, according to Breezy HR. For instance, applicant data management platforms help keep things organized for hiring managers, and video interviewing software allows them to meet with multiple candidates in short order, increasing convenience and comfort for all involved. Exploring all available options to determine the best possible adoption strategies should bring with it plenty of advantages.

4) Ask straightforward questions

Much like when you're writing a clear and concise job listing, it's important to leave no room for intergeneration when putting together a form for applicants and hosting interviews, Breezy HR added. That way, there's no ambiguity about what applicants or your company are getting from one another, and that can help you better determine qualifications, culture fit and the rest.

5) Get more people involved

When hiring managers at smaller companies feel a bit taxed by the process of sifting through dozens applications or resumes and interviewing several candidates or more, it might be wise to bring more colleagues into the process, according to Spark Hire. Additional people – not necessarily HR pros, but perhaps those who would oversee or directly work with the new hire – who can sift through applicants or sit in on interviews could help create an environment in which it's just a little easier to make a hiring decision.

6) Get hiring managers to spend time on it every day

While this isn't always easy, when the people in charge of hiring decisions are devoting even an hour or two to looking at applications, meeting candidates and whittling down lists, that goes a long way, Spark Hire advised. In a lot of cases, these decisions could be made over the course of a single day or at the end of the week, but spreading it out could help hiring managers stay on track to wrap up the process as quickly as possible.

7) Be open and honest with candidates

If there are a few candidates you really like and can't choose between them, giving them a little more information about the company than you might have offered originally can help them make the decision for you, according to Smart Recruiter. For instance, every candidate has their own preferences for how they like to work, and if you have a big, open, collaborative working environment, that might not jibe well with the people who prefer to work without much direction or help. When you're both clear about how that would all work, you're more likely to nail down the best possible candidate more quickly.

8) Think about what each interviewee brings to the table

Every candidate has their own pluses and minuses, and when you've narrowed the candidate search down to two or three choices, it's important to revisit their actual skills one last time, Smart Recruiter cautioned. This may help you choose a candidate who stands out and also happens to have the skills most suited to the position, rather than one that might have strong qualifications but isn't quite aligned with exactly what you're looking for.

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