Candidate Engagement Hiring tips for a post-Covid economy

Raise your hand if you’re tired of Covid. (750,000+ franchisee owners raise their hands.)

I’m tired of Covid-19. I’m sure you’re tired of it too. As if facing a pandemic, with the constant threat of illness and the denial of our favorite coping mechanisms weren’t enough, many have paid the hefty price tag for the ripple effect of pandemic life on the business front. 

Well good news! This article is not about the thing-that-shall-not-be-named. It’s about a pain point many of you are dealing with because of... that thing... and will continue to deal with when… that thing... is over. This is a thing I shall name, and it’s called Candidate Engagement.

We’re currently experiencing an extremely tight labor market and there are no signs of it letting up. It’s expected that as workers return to the workforce the need for them will simultaneously increase as there is a pent-up demand for simply going out and being with other people. So right now it’s more important than ever to ensure you’re doing everything you can to engage candidates and make fast hires—or at least have a plan and be prepared when the time comes for your industry, brand, and geography to hire again.

REVISIT YOUR JOB APPLICATION

Did you know that more than half (55%) of hourly job seekers will pass on an opportunity because of a poor application experience? Or that more than 60% get their first impression of your company from the application and interview experience? Having a short application that is easy to complete in one session not only affects your application flow, but your brand impression as well. So be sure you’re requiring only what is absolutely necessary to get the applicant in for an interview. In a recent analysis of more than 1 million applications started, more than 300,000 applicants dropped off before completing the application—and 20% of those occurred when the applicant was asked for previous work experience or a resume. Remove friction points like these, particularly for entry-level positions, and watch your flow of applications soar.

REVIEW APPLICATIONS QUICKLY

In a tight labor market, responding to applications quickly is imperative to filling positions. Seekers are applying for multiple positions in a single session and candidates—especially the better ones—are snatched up quickly. Ideally, review applications twice a day; even if one time is just a quick scan to respond to the applicants who catch your eye. Or, better yet, leverage your applicant tracking system (ATS) to do the work for you. You create qualification questions based on your needs, and immediately invite applicants to an interview. Make your ATS do the work for you and watch how much time you get back in your day.

SPEAKING OF YOUR ATS…

The franchise community has unique needs, as do the workers who support it. So why would you have a one-size-fits-all solution for one of your biggest pain points: candidate engagement? Ensure that your ATS supports the franchise model, your industry, and the job seekers you’re targeting. Since most franchises employ a high percentage of hourly workers, be sure you are leveraging an hourly ATS solution to best engage candidates. More than 75% of hourly job seekers use their phone to search for and apply for a job, so it’s imperative that your ATS isn’t just mobile-friendly—it’s imperative for it to be built “mobile-first.”

Engaging candidates in a tight labor market is hard. But with these tips you’ll increase you application flow and get your business staffed up in no time—and with the better candidates!

Kristina Gansser is general manager at Snagajob. For more information, visit their website.