Excerpt: As a recruiter, there are always new things to learn about the industry, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out. In this article, we’ll be discussing 9 things that you might not know about recruiting if you’re just starting out.
Recruiting can be a daunting task, and many recruiters believe they have seen and heard it all.
However, there are several lesser-known things about recruitment that can surprise even the most experienced professionals.
In this article, we’ll delve into some of the most intriguing and obscure facts about the recruitment process.
1. Candidates lie on their resumes more than you think
It’s no secret that candidates embellish their resumes. Bet you didn’t know that up to 85% of job applicants lie on their resumes! It’s huge!
According to a recent survey, candidates frequently exaggerate their skills, work experience, and education levels. While some of these lies might be harmless, others can have serious consequences, such as hiring unqualified employees.
2. Recruiters have an unconscious bias
Unconscious bias is a phenomenon where people unknowingly favour certain groups over others. Even experienced recruiters can have unconscious biases, which can lead to discrimination against underrepresented groups.
This is why it’s essential to get into a healthy habit of using objective criteria when evaluating candidates and to avoid making snap judgments based on personal biases, especially newbie recruiters.
3. Employee referrals are the best source of hires
When it comes to hiring, employee referrals are a goldmine. Not only are referred candidates more likely to be a good fit for the company culture, but they also tend to stay longer and perform better.
Additionally, referrals are more likely to accept job offers and require less time and money to onboard than candidates from other sources.
4. Applicant tracking system (ATS) is your best friend
As a newbie, know that recruiting is going to be challenging if you do it manually. Taking help of an ats system will make things incredibly easier for you. Hiring platforms like these are incredibly good at automating quantitative activities such as resume screening, scheduling interviews etc, and can help you save some time to focus more on qualitative aspects of recruitment.
5. Social media is a recruiter’s secret weapon
Social media is no longer just a platform for sharing memes and cat videos. It has become a valuable tool for recruiters to find, engage and connect with candidates. According to a survey, 92% of recruiters use social media to source candidates, and 45% of companies report that social media has reduced their time-to-hire.
6. Recruitment is more than just filling open positions
Recruiting is not just about filling open positions. It’s about building relationships, creating a positive employer brand, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. New recruiters usually make the mistake of not understanding the depth of it. A good recruitment strategy is to align your company’s / clients’ overall goals and values and focus on creating a long-term talent pipeline. Understanding this will immediately get you to the right path of becoming a great recruiter.
7. The interview process can be stressful for candidates
The interview process can be nerve-wracking for candidates, and the stress can affect their performance. It’s essential to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for candidates and to avoid asking trick questions or using high-pressure tactics, which new recruiters often make the mistake of doing the exact opposite of it, which is not how you should do it. Always remember that a positive candidate experience can go a long way in building a strong employer brand and attracting top talent.
8. Remote Work is here to Stay
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, and it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon. Thus, recruiters now need to adapt their hiring process to accommodate remote candidates and to focus on finding candidates with strong communication and collaboration skills.
9. Recruiting is a Data-Driven Process
Recruiting is not just about gut instinct or intuition. It’s a data-driven process that requires collecting and analysing relevant metrics such as time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and candidate quality. By using data to inform recruitment decisions, new recruiters can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their hiring process.
In Final Words
In conclusion, a new recruiter should know that recruiting is a dynamic and ever-evolving process, and there is always something new to learn. By keeping these lesser-known facts in mind, they can stay ahead of the curve and build a successful and diverse workforce.
So, the next time you are interviewing a candidate or crafting a job post, keep these facts in mind and see the difference it makes.
Again, welcome to the world of recruitment! Have an awesome journey!
