How to reduce your time to hire

updated on 21 November 2023

Let’s mention something crucial about recruitment – ‘time to hire’. It’s this key metric that really shows how well a company’s doing in its recruitment game. 

Now, if you’re taking too long to hire, you’re not just missing out on great talent; you’re also putting a dent in how your business runs. 

So how to cut down that ‘time to hire’, making your organization run smoother? Let’s take a look.

The impact of lengthy time to hire

A protracted ‘time to hire’ is more than a recruitment metric; it’s a reflection of your business’s agility. 

For candidates, long hiring processes suggest organizational delays, often pushing them towards faster-moving competitors. For businesses, the longer a role remains unfilled, the more pronounced the effects on productivity and team dynamics. 

In industries where talent is in high demand, a lengthy ‘time to hire’ can be particularly detrimental, leading to missed opportunities and operational challenges.

Strategies to reduce time to hire

Streamlining recruitment processes

Critical to reducing ‘time to hire’ is the evaluation and optimization of each recruitment stage. From application to interview, each step should be as efficient as possible.

Simplifying application forms, reducing intervals between interview rounds, and limiting the number of interviews can significantly shorten the ‘time to hire’.

At Hireport, we manage this process very tightly. Every step of the process is closely measured and analyzed. The key people in the process are given friendly reminders to respond in a timely manner to ensure everything goes smoothly and quickly. 

Technology integration

Modern recruitment technologies, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI-based tools, are invaluable for decreasing ‘time to hire’. 

And for managing external recruitment agencies, of course, use Hireport. The one portal to manage all agencies and scale up when needed. 

These tools automate and streamline various aspects of the recruitment process, enabling quicker candidate screening and more efficient overall recruitment workflows.

Direct communication

Effective communication is key in reducing ‘time to hire’. Keeping candidates engaged and informed throughout the process prevents dropouts and demonstrates organizational efficiency.

Swift post-interview feedback and transparent timeline communication are vital components of a quick hiring process.

To quickly and easily interact with agencies, for example to provide feedback, Hireport offers an all-in-one chat box where you can interact directly with the relevant recruiter. 

Collaborative recruitment approach

A synergized effort between HR and hiring managers can dramatically impact ‘time to hire’. This collaboration ensures clarity in role requirements and facilitates faster decision-making. 

Regular alignment meetings and open communication channels between HR and departmental heads are essential for a streamlined recruitment process.

A good way to do this is to discuss a clear division of roles in advance. And in doing so, choose set times during the week when issues are discussed. This way everyone knows when what is expected. 

Practical steps to minimize time to hire

Implement these actionable steps to effectively shorten your ‘time to hire’:

  • Conduct an in-depth review of your current recruitment process to identify delays.
  • Train your team in the latest recruitment technologies and methodologies.
  • Establish a policy for prompt communication with candidates and external recruitment agencies, setting clear response time goals.
  • Develop a standardized yet efficient interview protocol to ensure a swift hiring process.

Success stories in reducing time to hire

Several companies have achieved notable reductions in their ‘time to hire’. 

Bridgefund, for instance, reduced its ‘time to hire’ to an average of 25 days. 

Another success story comes from Brand New Day that revamped its interview process, resulting in a 16 days ‘time to hire’.

Conclusion

Improving your recruitment process to minimize ‘time to hire’ is crucial for staying competitive in today’s job market. 

By implementing these strategies, HR managers can not only fill positions more rapidly but also enhance their company’s attractiveness to top talent. 

Take the initiative to optimize your hiring approach, and watch as your ‘time to hire’ becomes a benchmark for recruitment excellence.

Pro tip

Connect Hireport to your ATS, to get nuisance recruitment agencies working for you directly from your ATS at the touch of a button. 

Try for free