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Attracting qualified job candidates can be challenging and time-consuming. This means it is even more important to implement recruitment and hiring practices that will help your company connect with the most qualified candidates quickly and efficiently.
Here are a few ways to streamline your recruiting and hiring process to find the best job candidates:
- Create strong job descriptions: Make your job descriptions clear, accurate and compelling. A well-written description can help a candidate decide if they are the right fit for a position. By clearly stating all job responsibilities and expectations, you can quickly weed out candidates who do not meet the minimum job requirements and increase the likelihood having more qualified candidates for interviews. To make your job descriptions more disability inclusive, be sure to list only essential job requirements. Often descriptions use template language such as “must be able to lift 25 lbs.” or “must have a valid driver’s license” for positions that don’t truly require this. Descriptions like these can discourage otherwise qualified job candidates with disabilities and other health conditions from applying.
- Develop a recruitment timeline: Often employers do not realize the time it takes to recruit and hire a new employee. From deciding to create a position or fill a vacant role, to interviewing and onboarding, it takes a considerable among of time to secure and assimilate a new employee. By mapping out a clear recruitment timeline, your company can determine exactly how much time should be set aside for recruiting a qualified candidate.
- Be honest about your company culture: Are you looking for someone that thrives in a fast-paced environment? Maybe you are looking for someone who fits into your team’s lively and collaborative atmosphere? Whatever the environment, sharing accurate information about your company’s culture allows potential candidates to think beyond job skills and qualifications to determine if they are the right fit for the position. This is another great way to cut down interviewing and hiring time.
- Post your jobs in high-quality places: The locations you advertise your jobs are just as important as the job descriptions. By putting your application on credible job posting sites, you will attract higher quality candidates with greater potential for retention. Consider posting open positions on a variety of job boards, including those focused on specific groups such as veterans or individuals with disabilities, to ensure you are pulling from a diverse talent pool.
Looking to add disability to your diversity and inclusion recruiting and hiring practices and not sure where to start? The National Business & Disability Council (NBDC) at The Viscardi Center has a great new resource: the Disability Employment Source (DES). This exclusive talent acquisition platform allows companies to identify, reach and hire qualified candidates with disabilities across a wide range of industries and positions. Learn more by contacting Christina Eisenberg at ceisenberg@viscardicenter.org.