Good workers are out there -- let them in

Some companies take months to fill vacancies, pondering if every applicant is the right fit. Using these shortcut tools will reduce this lag time and improve productivity.

Many companies are missing out on hiring great employees for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest is taking too much time to make a hiring decision. According to recruiting blog Talent Puzzle, it takes companies an average of 12 weeks to hire a new employee. This puts companies at a disadvantage in the personnel enhancing game. One factor to wage stagnation is that employers are too picky.

More stringent job requirements and other hiring hurdles often take away from productivity. Companies that wait too long to hire candidates usually miss out on the best of the bunch. The labor market is a competitive place and if companies don’t act fast, those candidates will accept positions elsewhere. Sometimes this can happen as quickly as 10 days.

Improving the productivity of the hiring process is typically ignored by most businesses. However, if businesses are not careful, it’s an area where resources are being spent without much gained in return. Streamlining the system helps everyone: applicants, companies and the economy at large. Employers that are in hiring positions need to scale back the system and make faster, more informed decisions.

From a job-seeker’s perspective, waiting nearly three months to be offered a position can be stressful and infuriating, breeding resentment toward the company before they even start working there.

By asking the right questions during the interview process, companies can gain all the insight they will need to make sure the candidate is best for the job.

Applicants that show an ability to understand the situation and sense the environment demonstrate that they can think on their feet. It is also essential that they show how they would handle difficult situations in an efficient manner. Moreover, that can lead to an appropriate action that will eliminate the need for repeated corrective action. Demonstrating this ability will hopefully result in a positive impression and the applicant will be hired.

 Michigan State University Extension educators working with the MSU Product Center assist businesses with business planning, including personnel issues.

Did you find this article useful?