Applicant Tracking Software is designed to collect information from job applicants so companies can make hiring decisions. Our customers know that iRecruit is highly configurable. This is important right now because we are in a candidate market. After the ups and downs of the pandemic over the last year employers are reporting that they are struggling to fill roles. Employers are having to adjust expectations, boost salaries and benefits to get people to apply.
With 10.1 million job openings, employers’ demand for workers is incredibly strong. But at the same time, labor supply is, at least for now, not that abundant. The result is a labor market where there is roughly one unemployed worker per job opening. Whether this level of tightness will continue depends on whether demand can stay this high and how quickly workers will return to the labor force. – June 2021 JOLTS Report: Record-Breaking Job Openings (Indeed)
One small thing you can do in your applicant tracking software is to make it easier to apply.
Employment applications are typically broken down into sections which contain your questions:
- Knock out questions
- Personal Information
- Background and Skills
- Availability
- Custom Questions
- Education
- Licenses/Certifications
- References
- Work History
- Military
- Voluntary Self-Identification
- Attachments
- Signature
As you can see, there is typically a lot of information requested by employers. This can add up to 150-200+ fields, and a very long application process.
At iRecruit, we recommend reviewing your employment application on an annual basis to see if it is still compliant with your state and local laws, and to see if it can be streamlined.
How to review your application
We recommend printing out a recently received application (this may be several pages long). Get a pen, and cross off items you don’t need at the early application stage. Can you cut home phone, and cell phone into just one item? Do you need three references? Instead of High School, College, Other, can this be simplified into “Highest Level of Education Achieved”? Do you need all the fields in Work History?
Are there questions that are not required that routinely get skipped by applicants? – Ask iRecruit to run a report for you to get this information.
The shorter the application, the easier it is for the applicant to apply, and less likely you are to have people abandoning the application process.
Indeed Apply – Using the Indeed Apply process makes it quick and convenient for applicant to apply as well.
Do not require a registration – One of the most frustrating things we hear from applicants is that they do not want to have to register an account with yet another website. Make sure that the “Apply Now” option is available.
If you have any questions about editing your application and creating a shorter application process, please contact us below.
About iRecruit
iRecruit is a cloud-based recruiting and applicant tracking and electronic onboarding software designed to provide any size of business a cost effective, affordable and truly simple way to manage the recruiting and onboarding process online. With options for Express, Professional and Enterprise, you can find a flexible recruiting solution that meets your needs.
