Vacancies are up, candidates are down and the global talent shortage is at its highest since 2007[1]. To compete in 2017, HR needs to step up its efforts to get more results from its hiring processes. Here’s how:-

Use the right data : Before beginning to streamline recruitment strategies, the right data must be available. The problem for some HR functions is that they don’t have access to relevant data or know how to use it to improve their talent acquisition results. The ability to understand and anticipate skills shortages and hiring patterns in order to fulfil business objectives will pay off in the long term. Begin with the data provided by your recruitment software to assess the effectiveness of your current hiring strategy.

Prioritise your time to hire : Sophisticated HR technology identifies the roadblocks that are hindering your ability to find qualified candidates. This is likely to include time to hire. The CEB notes that it takes 63 business days to fill a vacancy on average. This figure represents an increase of four weeks compared to four years ago. The time to fill related to ‘business critical roles’ stands at 81 business days, while the overall cost to the average business is estimated at £300 per day per vacancy. Taking action to reduce your time to hire could be the most important step you can take within your business to improve your 2017 talent acquisition strategy.

Work on retention : Retaining your existing talent will boost the success of your employer brand and your recruitment process. An estimated 6.5 million workers in the UK are not happy at work. That represents almost one third of all employees in your workforce. Investors In People's (IIP) Job Exodus 2016 reported that nearly 40% of people want to leave their job because they don’t feel valued.  Focusing on retention by introducing flexible or remote working, having those all-important career conversations and recognising employee contribution with a simple ‘thank you’ will go some way to improving retention levels. A job search may also be prompted by work anniversaries or milestone birthdays. Your recruitment software will highlight potential flight risks and enable HR to take steps to prevent the loss of skilled employees.

Get mobile : Mobile apps will ultimately take over HR technology according to Deloitte’s Josh Bersin[2]. People in the UK currently check their mobiles one billion times every day collectively. Ongoing advancements in technology are leading to the development of smartphone apps that are expected to measure employee engagement and potentially replace performance appraisals. If your business still relies on manual recruitment systems, investing in HR technology delivered  through the cloud as a SaaS (software as a service) solution is the first step in making the transition towards fully mobile recruitment.

Review previous hiring data : Too many HR teams fail to approach past applicants in their talent community when posting a new job. Analyse the skills and experience of the people in your talent pool and fast track the most qualified through your applicant tracking software. As HR attempts to  convince high achievers to apply for vacancies, ongoing engagement with passive talent is essential to maintain a pro-active talent acquisition strategy.

Get better results from your talent acquisition strategy with world class recruiting software that helps you to hire better people faster. Talk to Advorto today.

You might also like to read:-

6 Ways To Improve Your Hiring Success On Job Boards

The Top Reasons People Succeed In Talent Acquisition

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[1] Source : http://www.manpowergroup.com/talent-shortage-2016

[2] Source : HR Technology Disruptions For 2017 : Nine Trends Disrupting The HR Software Market