When the economy was sluggish and the hiring pool large, employers had more time with the recruiting process and more options. Because of this, time-to-hire windows grew to inflated levels for many companies. Glassdoor.com found that the average interview time frame was as long as 23 days in recent years. However, that is set to change.

As the economy picks up, time-to-hire windows are shrinking. Employers must act quickly in the recruiting process to connect with top talent — before their competitors do.

The following are six tips for streamlining the hiring and recruiting process while still connecting with the best candidates:

1. Combine Quantity with Quality

Instead of spending a lot of time early in the recruiting process with just a few candidates, employers should do brief pre-hire assessments with a large number of applicants, then narrow it down to the ones who are the most promising. Additional time can then be spent with these individuals. The pre-hire assessment should be highly focused and take no more than 30 minutes.

2. Brand Your Workplace

Employers that connect with the top talent tend to have a reputation for being an appealing and desirable place to work. Investing time and effort into marketing the workplace and all its strong suits is often time well spent. This can be done easily and affordably via social media. Today’s workers appreciate cooperative cultures, flexible schedules and an eco-friendly ethos.

3. Use Social Media Screening

Sometimes a look at the LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media profiles of a candidate can assist with rapid pre-screening before the interview phase of the recruiting process. However, employers should take care to do this consistently with each candidate.

4. Recorded Interviews

A current trend that can help streamline the hiring process is online recorded interviews. Having candidates answer questions through an interface that records their answers doesn’t require an interviewer to be present. If the candidate passes this phase, they may then asked to attend an in-person interview.

5. Use Professional Employment Screening

A professional employment screening service is essential for eliminating untrustworthy candidates and bypassing those who could become a liability.

6. Find the Right Hiring Manager

Employers should also consider who is doing the hiring and how efficient and effective they have been. Possible parameters to consider might be first-year turnover rates and employee engagement among the individuals they have hired.

As the economy improves and the talent pool shrinks, top candidates won’t wait around through a lengthy recruiting process and background screening. Employers can use these six tips to streamline their approach and connect with the best workers possible.

Source: https://www.glassdoor.com/research/studies/time-to-hire-study/

Disclaimer Statement: All information presented is never intended as legal advice and is for information purposes only.

As the economy ebbs, flows, changes and evolves, both employers and consumers must keep abreast of how to best manage their interactions with it. One of the most noteworthy economic changes of the current decade is the emergence of “the gig economy.”

“The gig economy” refers to a growing segment of the workforce that now earns a living through providing multiple services. Mobile apps are often used to manage gigs; Uber, Taskrabbit and Thumbtack are just a few examples. A Penn Schoen Berland Research study initiated by TIME magazine this year found that 44 percent of American adults participate in the gig economy.

Like any economic model, there are pros and cons, and the gig economy requires an awareness of how to navigate it for an optimal experience.

Arising From Economic Need

The seeds of the gig economy were likely sparked in response to the economic downturn of 2008. With so many people finding it difficult to get a job, many were open to temporary work to help fill the gaps, sometimes through a variety of short-term “gigs” in differing fields. Consumers looking to save money were grateful for the cooperative and “a la carte” nature of paying for goods and services in this way.

The rising popularity of freelancing and telecommuting since the advent of the Internet has fueled the gig economy. Mobile devices and apps make gigging on the go easier than ever. Today’s freelancers may earn their income as an Uber driver, a host on Airbnb, or an errand-runner through Taskrabbit – or a combination of apps like these.

Staying Safe in The Gig Economy

However, the rise of this unique economic model calls into question the safety and reliability of those being represented and hired through these apps.

While the gig economy is revolutionizing how Americans work and find key services, attention should be paid to safety considerations. Just who is being hired? Have they been appropriately screened for the job they will be doing? This is an issue that had always dogged the freelance world, and it now stands to get even larger as the gig economy grows.

Insist on Professional Background Screening

One of the best protections employers, app makers and consumers have against negligent hiring is the screening of workers before doing business with them.

A professional background screening service can check for criminal background records, employment history, and verify credit history to ensure reputation and reliability. As for consumers who use gig apps – they should check to make sure that the parent company has enacted a policy that all of participants have been appropriately screened.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/asking-tough-questions-about-the-gig-economy/2015/06/18/b43f2d0a-1461-11e5-9ddc-e3353542100c_story.html

Disclaimer Statement: All information presented is never intended as legal advice and is for information purposes only.