The Recruitment and Hiring Process

How does the recruitment process work? It depends on the company and the methods they use to find job candidates. However, most large employers and some small ones have a formal process to follow when recruiting and hiring new employees.

Steps in the Recruitment Process

Before hiring a candidate for a position, a company follows a step-by-step recruitment process. There are three key phases to this process, namely planning, recruiting and employee selection.

The basic process is the same, but there may be variations when the entire recruitment process is conducted remotely.

Human resources planning is when a company determines the number of employees it wants to hire and the skills it requires from those employees. The company must then compare its needs to the expected number of qualified candidates in the job market.

The recruitment phase of the hiring process occurs when the company attempts to reach a pool of candidates through job postings, job referrals, advertisements, college campus recruiting, etc. Applicants who respond to these measures are then called for interviews and other assessment methods. Employers may conduct background checks on potential employees, as well as reference checks.

Employee screening is the process by which an employer evaluates the information about all applicants generated during the recruitment phase. After evaluating the candidates, the company decides which candidate will be offered the position.

Types of Recruitment

Some companies use a recruiter to find candidates, especially for high-level positions. Other companies use social networking sites and LinkedIn to recruit, in addition to traditional recruiting methods such as placing job ads in newspapers and social media and posting jobs online such as on Indeed.com or CareerBuilder.

Note: Many employers, especially large companies, do not actively recruit candidates, but post open positions on their websites.

Job Applications
How candidates apply for a job also depends on the company. Some companies use application tracking systems to accept applications and to screen and select candidates for interviews.

In other cases, applicants must send a resume and cover letter via email. Some employers still prefer that candidates apply in person.

As part of the application process, candidates may be asked to take a talent assessment test to see if their background matches the company's requirements. Applications and test results will be reviewed and selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Interviews
As candidates move through the interview process, they may be interviewed several times before receiving a job offer or rejection notice. As part of the hiring process, companies also check the candidates' background, references and possibly creditworthiness.

The candidate may be offered a job based on the results of these checks, or the checks may be completed before the company makes a job offer to the candidate they have selected for the position.

The following are the steps in the recruitment process, which will vary depending on the company's recruitment strategies. Keep in mind that each company has its own recruitment strategy. Therefore, it is important to conduct a multi-faceted job search and make sure you are looking for a job where companies can find you.

Listing jobs on company websites
Most large companies, and many small companies, post available jobs on their websites. Applicants can search for jobs, view job listings and apply online. Job seekers can set up job search agents who notify them by e-mail of new openings. Some companies also conduct online interviews.

Posting jobs online
Companies that are actively recruiting candidates will not only post jobs on their website, but also on job boards and other employment sites. Jobs can be posted on general job boards like Monster and/or niche sites like MediaBistro, for example.

Using LinkedIn
Companies can post open positions on LinkedIn, the professional networking site. In addition, companies can search LinkedIn to find candidates to hire. LinkedIn Groups are another way employers post job openings and find candidates.

Social Recruiting
Companies are increasingly using social recruiting to find job candidates on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites, as well as to investigate candidates they are considering hiring. Companies can use Facebook applications to recruit or have a Facebook page dedicated to company careers. On Twitter, companies can tweet job openings and search for candidates to hire.

The Application Process
Here's information on the entire application process, including applications, resumes and cover letters, applicant testing, background and reference checks, interviews and the hiring process.

The Interview Process
The interview process is not just about getting called in for an interview, interviewing and getting a job offer. In many cases, it is complex and may involve several interviews.

The hiring process
The hiring process involves a series of steps, including applying for a job, interviewing, job tests, background checks and job offers, as well as tips and advice for each step of the hiring process.