Three Time-Management Tips for Recruiters

Recruiters are expected to accomplish a lot on a daily basis. Time-management skills must be impeccable. If you find yourself in need of extra minutes on the clock at the end of each day, consider integrating some of the following tips into your routine:

1. Consolidate meetings

Meetings can be a contentious point for many white-collar workers. Some view them as a waste of time, others see them as a necessary communications tool. Regardless of your position, Monster recommends consolidating scattered meeting-of-the-mind’s into one constructive session.

What does this mean? It means be aware of the “fly-by” meeting. This occurs when someone drops by to ask a “quick question.” Only it’s not quick, and next thing you know 30 minutes has passed, Over time this can eat away at your productivity, and disrupt your work flow. To avoid the impact of the “fly-by,” ask if you can schedule a short meeting at another time. Monster also suggests asking, “What do you think is the best solution?” According to Monster, this is the best way to prevent a “two-minute conversation from becoming a thirty-minute discussion.”

2. Speed up the process

Your primary responsibility at work is understandably recruiting. According to Glassdoor, the average length of a hiring process is 52 days from start to finish—the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported this sometimes has a lot to do with your own company’s internal protocol.

Review your recruitment process from beginning to end. You may find steps that are no longer needed, or uncover unnecessary bottlenecks. The goal would be to identify steps most germane to meeting your objective, and getting rid of steps immaterial to getting you your desired hire.

An applicant tracking system (ATS) can also give your process a boost. These systems can often automate workflows like approval processes, email communications, and even pre-screen and score applicants. Although human intelligence is still needed to review applicants, an ATS provides the platform to keep your process in motion. Saving you time, money, and preventing you from losing great candidates.

3. Divvy up your time

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for managing your time is simply to divide it up properly. Some call it the Pomodoro Technique, while a SparkHire blog plainly dubbed it, “blocking of time.” Regardless of what you name it, take a couple of minutes each day to mark your to-do’s on your calendar. This means putting everything you have planned down on your calendar. Preparing for an interview later? Block out 20 minutes when you can’t be reached. Doing so accomplishes two things. The first is people are less likely to intrude or interrupt you when they see an activity on your calendar. The second reason harkens back to this tip’s relationship with the Pomodoro Technique, which simply gives you certain time-based intervals to complete a task. SparkHire reported that when you see there’s 15 minutes left on the clock until your next “meeting,” you’ll begin to wrap up whatever you’re doing and move on to the next task. It’s a great way to stay productive throughout the day.

As a recruiter, your time is valuable. Manage your time wisely by incorporating these three steps into your daily routine!