Are you planning to recruit new talent to join your business in the near future? If so, you might want to shake up how you go about doing it.
Over the last few years, the job market has been evolving rapidly. If your organisation is still relying on the same recruitment practices it was a decade ago, there is a good chance you will be missing out on the best talent available.
Now more than ever before, employers must act quickly to ensure they are able to secure their desired candidates, bringing them into their business as soon as possible.
No matter the seniority of the vacancy or the number of roles being recruited for, it is important to be prepared and willing to invest the time and resources required in order to find the right candidates to join your business.
With this in mind, we have broken down the whole recruitment process - as it stands today, to help you better understand what it looks like at every stage. Within this, we have offered tips on how to streamline the process to ensure you are moving at the speed the market requires.
Finding candidates
The first stage of any recruitment process is finding qualified candidates to be interviewed for the role.
In order to ensure that you are finding the right candidates and not wasting time interviewing unsuitable applicants, it is important to be really clear about the demands of the role and the level of experience you require.
With this information to hand, draft a job advert, outlining the demands of the role, the benefits on offer, and giving a flavour of what sets your business apart from others within the industry.
Working with an experienced recruitment partner can be a great way to really drill down on what you are looking for and ensure that you are doing everything possible to get the strongest applicants possible applying for your role.
Not only can a specialist recruitment firm provide you with guidance on current salary expectations, the speed the market is moving, and additional guidance on how to get your vacancy noticed, but they can also provide practical support.
They will be able to reach out to their extensive network of industry professionals to find candidates they believe have the skills and experience that would make them suitable for your role. At Employment Solutions, as soon as we are briefed on a vacancy for one of our clients, we will begin the process of sourcing the best candidates possible to be put forward for an interview.
Interview process
Once you have sourced qualified candidates, it will be time to invite them for an interview.
Depending on the demands of the role, the interview process may look different but usually, there will be a first stage investigative call, followed by a more formal second interview. You can find more information on how to develop the ultimate interview process here.
The interview process can be notoriously time-consuming, in today’s job market it is important to be able to move quickly to ensure that you don’t miss out on the candidate you’re looking to hire.
A third-party recruitment specialist is a great way to simplify this process. A recruitment partner will be able to screen candidates, make sure you have all the necessary information, including salary expectations, notice period, and any pre-approved holidays that will need to be taken into account.
They will also be best placed to conduct follow-ups, promptly arrange second interviews, and share feedback and liaise directly with any candidates that have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.
It is important to be organised and be clear about when the second interview will be taking place. If you like a candidate, there is no harm in letting them know you will be in touch to arrange a follow-up. Transparency and communication are important as many candidates will be juggling multiple interview processes at once.
Making an offer
Finding the right candidate to join your business is exciting. Once you are confident you have found someone with the skills and experience to help your business grow, it is important to move quickly.
In a candidate-led job market, like the one we are currently experiencing, it is vital to ensure you are in a position to make an offer following a successful final interview.
When making a job offer, be sure to be enthusiastic and continue to ‘sell’ the role - the process isn’t over yet. Candidates will most likely have questions and want to iron out any final details before formally accepting a new job.
With strong candidates currently experiencing multiple offers, there is a chance that there could be a delay in confirming a start date. It is important to set out clear timelines and keep channels of communication open with your candidate.
An experienced recruitment partner can be a great champion for your business and their close relationships with the applicants can make all the difference - ultimately helping to speed up the process.
Managing the notice period
The majority of candidates in the job market will be expected to work a notice period for their current employer - delaying the date they can start with your business.
While notice periods can vary, a month tends to be the average length of notice an employer is contracted to give when looking to move roles. It is important to ensure you are asking about a candidate’s notice period early in the recruitment process, especially if your recruitment is time-sensitive and you need someone to fill the position quickly.
During a candidate’s notice period, it is a good idea to continue to keep in contact and make sure they have everything they need before starting with your business. This ongoing communication requires an investment of time. Working with a recruitment partner can be a great way to simplify the process and have somebody else responsible for touching base and keeping candidates engaged.
How can we help?
For over 20 years, Employment Solutions has been responsible for helping businesses secure the best engineering and manufacturing talent to join their organisation. To learn more about how Employment Solutions can help you, call the team on 0161 839 5353 or complete the contact form below and we will be in touch soon.