4 Ways Automation Can Improve the Hiring Process

Recruitment is traditionally considered a human process, and it can be difficult to imagine automation as a positive development in the field, but learning to make it work for you can bring significant improvements to the process.

1. Automation saves time

Ironically, the benefits of online application systems have made the hiring process a time-consuming activity. According to a Robert Half survey, 54% of HR directors said they lost out on a qualified candidate because their application process was too lengthy. However, automation can help ease issues caused by technology. 

There are plenty of pre-screening programs available nowadays, which can scan CVs, cover letters, and even video interviews to sort through applications faster than people. Studies show that it can take HR an average of 5 days to sort through all of the applications they receive, which supports the fact that 52% of employers blame increased applications for each position for the increasing duration of the hiring process. Automation can help speed things up, processing applications with increasingly sophisticated AI, which can identify the essential qualifications and desired attributes in a matter of seconds.

2. It makes smarter decisions

With increased automation, there’s a growing fear of replacing the human aspect of many parts of our day-to-day lives. However, automation isn’t designed to take jobs but to make recruiters’ lives easier and more fulfilling. The huge increase in applications for positions hasn’t necessarily translated into more qualified candidates, meaning that most CVs are rejected, and by using software to do the initial sorting, hiring staff can spend more time on better-suited candidates.

The use of psychometric testing has risen significantly with the increase of more highly qualified candidates. These tests can assess different skills that aren’t obvious on a CV or in a face-to-face interview, thus making it easier to find stronger candidates. Psychometric tests can also be done remotely, meaning that chosen candidates can submit their tests anywhere at any given time. These can then be marked by the computer and the top scorers sent to recruiters, allowing them to compile a successful shortlist both quicker and with more data.

3. Builds a brand

The advent of social media means that a company’s reputation has become a hugely important part of their recruitment success. Coupled with the fact that most job seekers are only passively looking for a new job, meaning they’re already employed but open to a new opportunity. Therefore, companies need to work harder and smarter to entice top candidates. Almost 70% of job seekers say that a company’s reputation is the deciding factor on whether they’d join, even if they’re currently unemployed. By making the most of hiring software, such as programmatic job advertising, recruiters can make the most of the wealth of digital information available. Algorithms allow recruiters to input their parameters, for example, preferred demographic and budget, and the computer finds and buys space across the internet. This increases the reach and efficiency of a job ad by displaying it in more places where people are likely to engage and visit.

4. Cuts costs

Screening software makes hiring faster and more efficient, which allows recruiters to get more work done and find more fulfillment in their job. Since 73% of people leave their job to change positions, job satisfaction and managing expectations from the early stages will be key to increasing employee retention. Psychometric testing can provide much-needed data on candidates that allow employers to make more informed hiring decisions, choosing people who are more suited to both the position and the company culture. It can also cost employers an average of $4,000 per new hire, so a low turnover is vital to decreasing long-term costs and can make automation even more valuable to implement.

Conclusion

Automation is an inevitable part of the technological future, but it isn’t something to fear. As AI and data mining algorithms become smarter and more user friendly, software can easily replace the mundane and repetitive parts of our lives that can bog us down and make us more productive in the workplace. To be successful, companies need to stay ahead of the curve, this includes using automation to make the hiring process quicker, cheaper and more efficient. Automation is also a great way to work around human biases and create a more diverse workforce, which has been proven to improve performance and outcomes. Therefore, while it might seem like a big change to go automated, there are some fantastic benefits, both short and long term, that will improve the hiring process.