The 4-Step Hiring Process You Should Know as an Applicant
Are you tired of applying for jobs and never hearing back from the hiring team? Do you feel like your applications are getting lost in the endless pool of candidates? Understanding the hiring process can give you an advantage in your job search.
The 4 Stages of a Hiring Process
In this blog post, we'll walk you through the four stages of a hiring process that you should know as an applicant.
From the realization of the need to hire to the targeted search for candidates, we'll provide you with valuable insights into how hiring managers identify and attract top talent.
So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to learn how to navigate the hiring process like a pro!
1. Realize the Need To Hire
The first stage of a hiring process is the realization of the need to hire. This can occur for various reasons:
- Such as a goal-setting process.
- An event like departures in the team.
- And more.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or the hiring manager to determine the specific roles and skills required to meet the organization's objectives.
Once the hiring need is identified, they will create a job description that accurately reflects the position's:
- Responsibilities.
- Qualifications.
- And expectations.
The job description is an essential document that helps attract potential candidates who possess the required skills and experience. It is also used to assess and evaluate candidates during the interview process.
After creating the job description, the hiring team publishes it on the company's jobs page.
2. Finding Candidates
The second stage of the hiring process is finding suitable candidates for the open position. At times there's a lucky break, with great candidates applying immediately.
But that's rare to happen as most job seekers do not actively monitor the company's job page.
To cast a wider net and attract potential candidates, hiring managers often use a variety of methods. The low-hanging fruit here is asking for recommendations from:
- The company’s current employees.
- Or broader professional networks.
Referrals can be a valuable source of candidates since they often come with pre-existing knowledge about:
- The company culture.
- Work environment.
- And expectations.
Finding suitable candidates is a crucial step in the hiring process that requires a strategic and multi-faceted approach to identify and attract the right talent.
3. Broad Distribution
The next stage involves the broad distribution of the job posting to reach a larger pool of potential candidates. This step is essential when the company is unable to find suitable candidates through referrals.
One way to achieve broad distribution is by posting the job on multiple job boards and market aggregators. These platforms are designed to connect job seekers with relevant job openings, and they offer a vast pool of candidates with diverse backgrounds and skillsets.
Posting on these platforms can also help the company tap into passive job seekers who are not actively searching for jobs but may be interested in an exciting opportunity if it arises.
4. Targeted Search
The final stage of the hiring process is a targeted search for candidates when all other methods fail to produce a suitable match. This stage involves working with recruiters who specialize in finding and attracting top talent.
Companies may choose to work with external recruiters, staffing agencies, or headhunters who have extensive networks and expertise in the industry.
These recruiters can help identify potential candidates who may not be actively looking for a job but possess the necessary skills and experience for the position and are willing to transition.
During this stage, the recruiters will conduct a targeted search, reaching out to potential candidates through various channels, including:
- Social media.
- Professional networks.
- And direct cold outreach.
The recruiters will typically provide a brief overview of the position and assess the candidate's interest and fit for the role before presenting them to the hiring team.
The process of working with recruiters may vary depending on the size and structure of the company:
- Smaller startups may not have internal HR teams and may rely solely on external recruiters.
- While larger companies may have internal recruiters who work closely with the hiring team to identify and attract top talent.
What's interesting for candidates is to understand where the opportunities are. These are some we can think of:
- Applying early always gets your CV reviewed.
- Having a good network tends to get people to recommend you.
- Knowing recruiters gets them to recommend you.
Now that you know the 4 stages of a hiring process, put that into the perspective of the farming type of job searching.
Do some farming to build network with CTOs, Engineers and Recruiters, so they reach out to you.
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