Client Insights on the Recruitment Process

In June 2024 we hosted an event where we spoke with some of our local clients to discuss their recruitment processes, insights into statistics nationally and our advice on improving processes to attract and retain the best talent.

A survey by the ONS stated that a whopping 71% of candidates have either dropped out or considered dropping out of an interview process. It is important to understand why and how to minimise losing good talent.

How long does the process take?

One reason job seekers may drop out of an interview process is simply the length of time it takes. It is competitive out there, and if other companies are quicker than you, you may well lose out, or candidates may just feel it is off putting to keep waiting for interviews to be arranged.

When we surveyed our clients, the majority of attendees at our recent event guessed that on average an interview process takes 15-21 days. In reality it is actually on average 27.5 days.

Cost

An often unthought of obstacle for job seekers is the cost of the process. This could include travel, outfits, childcare or lost earnings. When discussing with our attendees the majority estimated this would be £30-40, when in reality it is an average of £58. This is really worth bearing in mind – so as not to waste peoples time and money, ensure that the process is efficient as possible and feedback is given to ensure all candidates gain something from the process.

Timings for Feedback

We wanted to gain an understanding of how quickly our clients tend to get back to candidates who have applied for their jobs directly. The majority said they will get back to applicants within a week, whereas a third said it can take up to two weeks. Having a quick turnaround process in place will put you ahead of your competitors when securing the best talent.

Thank you to all of our clients who attend our events and allow us to keep our expertise up to date with what is going on in our local market.