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What A Streamlined Interview Process Can Do to Help!

Job interviews don’t last very long. Typically, you have less than an hour to make an informed judgment about a candidate. As such, it can be tempting to push these discussions further, lengthening the conversations and scheduling multiple meetings.

However, this comes at a cost. A lengthy, involved interview process can alienate candidates, cause a distraction for your organization, and lead to positions remaining open longer than needed. As such, you can usually benefit more by streamlining your interview process.

Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy from this strategy, as well as a few steps you can take to put it into action:

Benefits of a Streamlined Interview Process

Before you take measures to truncate your current interview procedures, you should understand the potential upsides. This will let you weigh the benefits versus the potential loss of information you’ll experience. Here are some of the advantages you’ll get from a streamlined interview process:

Fill Your Positions More Quickly

Perhaps the most obvious advantage of a streamlined interview process comes from a shortened time-to-hire period. Since you’re getting candidate discussions done more quickly, you can fill your open positions efficiently. As a result, you’ll see less downtime and keep your company moving forward.

Keep Candidates Engaged

To grab the best candidates, you want to keep them excited about the position. Use some of your marketing techniques in the recruiting process. The quicker you can close, the better your odds of having the best possible outcome.

Less Time for Candidates to Get Other Offers

Beyond keeping your candidates interested and engaged, there’s a logistical benefit to a quick interview process. You limit the amount of time competitors have to make their own offer. The best candidates will have the most other options. Maximize your chances by boxing out the other employers who might otherwise have an opportunity to swoop in.

Improve Your Overall Recruitment Efforts

Interviews provide the centerpiece of your recruitment process. As such, a streamlined effort there can have follow-up benefits throughout your other procedures. Everything else can go more smoothly when you have an efficient interview structure.

How to Streamline Your Interview Process

Now that you see the benefits of a streamlined interview process, another key question arises: how can you accomplish this goal? There are several steps you can take to make the process more efficient. Here are a few to keep in mind:

  • Gather Scheduling Info During the Application Process: Save a future conversation by asking for scheduling information upfront. Knowing more about your candidates’ general availability will let you move more quickly when the time comes.
  • Use Preliminary Phone Interviews: Sometimes you can tell within a few minutes whether a candidate will be the right fit or not. A quick, preliminary phone interview can give you enough information to make better decisions about who to invite to longer, more formal discussions.
  • Offer Remote Options: Even for full interviews, take advantage of remote technology. This way, you can fit more interviews into a shorter time.
  • Have a Standardized Process: Make a list of core interview questions and attempt to keep the same structure from discussion to discussion. This will make it easier to conduct the conversation and will make it easier to compare candidates when you’re done.
  • Limit the Number of People Involved: The more people involved in the interview, the more schedules to consult and the more input you get for each discussion. To avoid this, have the interviews conducted by a core crew and limit the number of decision-makers involved in the hiring process.

Need Help Finding the Right Fits For Your Organization?

Streamlining your interview process can lead to many benefits. However, you still need to find the right candidates. A top recruiter, like Elby Professional Services, can help. You’ll connect with the talent you need to push your company forward.

Contact Elby today to learn more.

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