How to safely use pipeline requisitions

During COVID, we all experienced shortages of supplies. We searched for weeks for certain supplies a...



Posted by Beth Conner on May 18 2017
Beth Conner
Pipeline Requisitions in Applicant Tracking

During COVID, we all experienced shortages of supplies. We searched for weeks for certain supplies and when we found them we would stockpile as much as we could. We wanted to ensure we had those items readily available. This is kind of like recruiting when we have a position available and we need someone to fill the position immediately, or we have a position that is always open. As talent professionals, wouldn’t it be great to have a “pipeline of applicants” ready and available? As compliance professionals, the application of pipeline or evergreen reqs can be tricky and they can be used, if it is done properly.

What are pipeline requisitions?

Pipeline requisitions are when you have a pool of candidates that are interested in positions with your company as they become available. They are sometimes known as evergreens, when a req is opened with an unspecified number of hires assigned.

How do you get a pipeline of candidates?

You post a requisition just as you normally would, but you want to be clear in the posting that this is a pipeline requisition and not a job opening. These candidates would follow the same process of determining if they are an applicant or a job seeker, which is through the Internet Applicant Rule.
Just as a reminder this rule has 4 prongs to meet the definition of an internet applicant, you must meet these 4 prongs: 1) apply electronically for the position, 2) consider the candidate for a position 3) the candidate met the basic qualifications for the position and 4) the candidate did not withdraw from the process prior to an offer of employment.

What do I do once I have my pipeline?

When a position becomes available, invite all candidates that are in the pipeline who meet the basic qualifications to apply to the job opening. Ensure that you are asking clear, job related screening questions at the beginning of the process to ensure that the candidate meets the basic requirements. Link your pipeline requisitions to a single job and a single location to mitigate any risk or confusion.

How does this affect my applicant log?

When inviting all candidates to apply to the requisitions, you may have some that decide that they are not interested in that specific position. Therefore, only those that applied would be considered in the applicant pool. Those that decided not to apply would be considered a candidate under the 4th prong of the internet applicant rule (withdrawn/presumed not interested).

Close and renew the pipeline

You want to ensure that you close the requisition on a regular basis (every 30-120 days) and have candidates re-apply to the new pipeline requisition. This will allow you to clean up the active pools and analyze smaller data sets.
Pipeline requisitions can be beneficial for candidates as well as the company but be sure to follow the proper protocols in posting, inviting all candidates, interviewing, and dispositioning candidates properly.

 

 

Beth Conner
Beth Conner
Beth Conner, HR Consultant, has over 15 years of experience as an HR Generalist, focused the past 7 years in Affirmative Action.

Contact Us

Get in Touch With a Berkshire Expert