Drive by Friday

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Drive by Friday –

IS YOUR HIRING PROCESS LIKE A BAD FIRST DATE?

This week we are diving into a common but often overlooked issue in recruitment … hiring when you’re not truly committed to the process (this heading couldn’t be more appropriate).

It happens more than you think … here’s some examples of how NOT to structure your hiring process:

A rushed decision to make a hire and a lack of strategy to recruit
Vague job descriptions (if any)
Advertised the role but didn’t bother to check the advert response daily and lost the best candidates
A process that shouldn’t take more than 3-6 weeks but heads north of 12 weeks and suddenly the candidate you wanted has run for their life
No interview process defined but a “we’ll work it out as we go” approach
Cancelling interviews and late to interviews
The role was put on hold as there was internal disagreement on the job requirements

Sound familiar? Avoid falling into the trap of “just filling the role”. There are several reasons why companies might not fully commit to the hiring process:

Unclear Job Requirements

Many hiring efforts start with vague job descriptions or undefined roles – this lack of clarity leads to frustration for both the employer and he candidate, who may not know that they’re signing up for.

Rushed Timelines

When filling a vacancy becomes urgent, employers may rush through the process, skipping essential steps like thorough interviews or relevant checks. In the rush to fill the position, important red flags are often missed.

Lack of Leadership Buy-In

Sometimes senior leadership isn’t fully on board with the need for the role or the resources required to support a comprehensive hiring process. Without their buy-in, the process tends to drag on or stall, leaving candidates in limbo or just disappearing as they gave up waiting.

Disconnection Between Teams

Hiring is a team effort, involving HR, Department Heads, and sometimes other stakeholders. If these teams are not aligned, miscommunication and mismatched expectations can derail the process.

The consequences of a half-hearted hiring process will result in…

High Turnover Rates
Damaged Employer Brand
Missed Opportunities with Best Candidates
Morale and Productivity Issues

How to Fix It…

Set Clear Objectives
Commit to Time and Resources
Ensure Leadership Involvement/Agreement
Communicate Openly and Often

Hiring is more than just filling a seat. It’s about building a strong, capable team that can drive the company forward. When companies enter the hiring process without full commitment, they risk wasting time, resources and ultimately, talent. So, next time you’re about to launch a hiring effort, ask yourself: ARE YOU TRULY COMMITTED TO FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON, OR ARE YOU JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS? The answer will make all the difference.