Going through the entire hiring process only to lose your ideal candidate to a competitor is a frustrating and expensive experience. Losing a candidate at the end can set you back weeks or even months if you have to start the process over from scratch. It happens to everyone now and then, but if your ag business is consistently losing great candidates to other offers, it might be time to examine your hiring process.
A Lengthy Application Process Turns Candidates Off
Applicant tracking systems can save your team significant time when it comes to screening and scoring resumes, but if your application process is too complex, it will drive candidates away. According to a recent study, complicated ATS applications can drive up applicant drop-out rates by nearly 50 percent. The specific reasons why applicants drop out of the process include:
- Lengthy forms
- Asking for personal information like a Social Security Number
- No option to save an application in process and return to it later
Candidates don’t want to spend an hour applying to a job – especially if the automated nature of the process makes it seem like no one will ever actually read it. Start by simplifying your process to attract more candidates.
If You Don’t Communicate, You’ll Lose Talent
The candidate experience matters more than many hiring managers realize. Candidates believe the way they are treated throughout that process indicates how they will be treated as an employee. Therefore, it is crucial to be responsive and to communicate well.
Set up an autoresponder for application submissions to let candidates know their materials were received. Explain that qualified candidates will be contacted and ballpark a realistic timeframe for resume reviews. As candidates move through each phase of the interview process, be clear and honest about how you will communicate, and stick to the timelines you provide. If a candidate stops hearing from you, they will assume you have moved on and they too, will move on.
If The Process Takes Too Long, They Will Lose Interest
Time is the enemy of every business deal including hiring. When your hiring process is long and drawn out, it allows plenty of time for a competitor to swoop in and close the deal. Even if candidates don’t have another offer, they may lose interest in your opportunity if your team moves at a glacial pace when making decisions or drags them through a series of unplanned call-backs. Candidates will always be drawn to employers who have an efficient process.
Are You Ready to Improve Your Hiring Process?
If your ag business has lost sales and marketing talent to a competitor and you’re ready to improve your hiring process, the recruiters at Morris Bixby are ready to help. Our proven processes will instantly shorten your time to hire while improving the quality of your hires. Contact us today to get started.