Employer review portal Glassdoor recently published an interesting study titled: “Why is Hiring Taking Longer”. Average interview processes have grown by 3.3 to 3.7 days since 2009 and Europe is definitely lagging. Out of the 6 countries in the study, UK (28.6 days), Germany (28.8 days) and France (31.9 days) were the bottom 3. In comparison: Canada has an average of 22.1 days. This is obviously a trend that needs to be reversed. The good news is that we already have digital interview and screening tools in place to do that. The not-so-good news is that not enough employers have implemented these tools well enough to have a significant impact yet on their hiring process, whereas they could achieve a reduction of their time-to-hire of up to 60%!
If candidates can choose between multiple employers, three-quarters are more likely to select the one where they can get interviewed first. So I guess it should not be a mystery where to put your focus when trying to compete for the best talent: It’s SPEED! The Glassdoor study is even able to specify the impact of various interview methods. Of the nine interview methods every one had a statistically significant effect on interview process times. For example:
So let’s have a look at the 3 reasons why digital interviewing and screening tools can reverse this trend and have a positive impact on the length of the hiring process:
A typical interview and screening process would often start with an application form, including CV, then a phone screen, a first on-site interview with the hiring manager and possibly a test. Some of these steps (and sometimes all of them, depending on the role) can be compounded into one combined step where the candidate applies with CV, but also answers some questions via video already and perhaps even does an online test. The hiring manager can review an application including video and candidates can move to the 2nd round on-site interview immediately.
Digital interviews can be sent to candidates to be completed at a time that is convenient to them at much shorter notice. No more voicemails and scheduling issues. The recruiter creates a digital interview and can send that to as many candidates as possible who can do the interview from home or anywhere actually. Now interviews don’t depend on availability anymore. The recruiter can even set-up a live interview for the hiring manager outside of working hours. Planning is made so much easier when you are not limited to the confines of your office space.
Do you know that ¾ of all hiring managers acknowledges that their limited availability and lack of time for job interviews usually leads to a delay in the application process? Usually hiring managers are involved in defining the scope of the job profile, after which the recruitment process enters a black box, only to re-emerge with the first CV selection or even on-site interviews. With digital interviews and screening they can watch and evaluate candidates from a tablet on their couch as candidates complete the interview. Hiring managers can even be involved in setting up the interview questionnaire.
These are just a few reasons why digital interviews can help you reverse the trend of an ever longer selection process and get you back on track to compete for the best talent. Researcher Aberdeen indicates in their report: “Talent Acquisition: Reverse the regressive curse” that companies using video interviewing can improve their time-to-hire by up to 60%. That is exactly what we are seeing with our clients using the Cammio video recruitment platform. Results can obviously vary per company, market and role, but in every single company or organization we have been able to support has seen a significant reduction in their average time-to-hire.
So start your digital interview engines and speed up your selection process now. Happy hiring!
