Three Ways to Avoid a Daunting Application Process

Long, convoluted, and complicated application processes can scare off candidates before you even get...



Posted by Berkshire on May 4 2016
Berkshire

Long, convoluted, and complicated application processes can scare off candidates before you even get a chance to see their résumés. The average length of a hiring process is growing hiring processsubstantially, and there are many reasons why.

Candidates who don't hear back from you are more likely to accept another job offer or discourage other job seekers from applying to your company. Want to break the stigma? Simplify your process and use available tools to make it as smooth as possible.

Strip it down to the bare bones
How much information do you require from candidates as they fill out a form field? According to Career Builder, it really shouldn't be that much. Any information that isn't necessary for the future opportunity, or is already covered with a résumé, should not be on your form.

Not only is it annoying to fill out the same thing more than once, the longer it takes for a job seeker to fill out an application form, the less likely it is for him or her to stick it through to the end. Long processes can delay the time it takes to get an offer to a candidate. In the same amount of time, another competitor may scoop the candidate up from under your nose.

hiring processA lengthy application process could mean you aren't seeing as many applicants as possible.

Use technology to speed things up
Nobody wants to spend a significant amount of time filling out an application and never hear back. Candidates put time and effort into the process to look like a viable applicant, so treat them like one. Résumés can slip through the cracks during a manual sorting process—update your hiring process to the 21st century if you haven't already.

Implementing an application tracking system (ATS) can help you find and respond to candidates much quicker. Set automated emails to be sent to prospective employees who will go on to the interview round and to people who didn't quite make the cut.

Click here to learn about BALANCEtrak applicant tracking software

Go mobile
If your application process doesn't allow for mobile submission, then you're behind the times. Job seekers are now likely to be on-the-go, and mobile should account for that. If you don't give them the ability to apply from their phone, they may never return to the application—even if they're the perfect candidate for the job.

Follow these steps to alleviate some of the burdens that fall on applicants as they navigate your process and make it easier on yourself to respond to top talent promptly.

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