Matt Lozar | Director of Recruitment Marketing
Let's be honest: finding the right candidates for your staffing company is like finding a needle in a haystack.
But wait, it gets more daunting – the needle may not want to be found because candidates have choices!
Right now, there are approximately two job openings for every candidate, whether it's with your competitors or someone outside the staffing industry.
So, how can you ensure that they choose you?
One word: speed.
In 2024, the most crucial factor for staffing companies will be the speed to fill. It's no longer enough to follow up with candidates after they apply in a week or two. You've got to act like a lightning bolt, strike while the iron is hot, and follow up with them within hours of applying.
I know what you're thinking.
"But how can I keep up with the speed to fill? We're a small staffing agency!"
Don't worry; we've got you covered.
Here are some ways you can improve your speed to fill and increase your chances of attracting the perfect candidate for the job.
- Prioritize follow-up speed. Start by immediately following up with candidates after they apply, using thank you pages, autoresponders, automation, an outsourced call center, and/or your recruiters.
Responding promptly shows that you value the candidate’s interest and care about their job search. Use tools like chatbots, automation, email marketing, and SMS messaging to accelerate your response time.
- Keep your candidates engaged. Keep your candidates informed by regularly following up throughout the hiring process.
One of the biggest complaints candidates have is the lack of communication from staffing companies (i.e., the black hole that comes after they apply).
You can eliminate the black hole with by creating a feedback loop with automation tools, scripted response messages, and simple reminders to recruiters to provide a response.
Then use email marketing campaigns and social media messaging to keep your company top-of-mind, consistently communicate job opportunities, and put your brand in front of your talent community.
- Automate your hiring process. Does your ATS automate the candidate journey?
Using workflows and automation platforms, you can streamline the process of tracking candidate information, evaluations, and communication. This will save you time and resources and enable you to focus on what you do best - staffing.
Remember, a strong speed to fill strategy is essential to generating more revenue for your company in 2024.
By following up faster, engaging your candidates regularly, and automating your hiring process, you'll have an edge over your competitors and attract the right candidates for your job orders.
So, don't underestimate the speed to fill. Who knows? Perhaps you'll find that needle in a haystack sooner than you thought. |
