Recruitment isn't a cost - it's time you get back

Hiring is one of the most time-consuming things a business owner does and most of that time goes to work that doesn't actually require you: screening resumes, chasing candidates for interview slots, sorting through people who looked good on paper but aren't a fit once you talk to them. 

Here's what tends to eat the most time, and what to do about it if you're handling hiring yourself: 

Resume screening. Most hiring managers read every resume that comes in, even though a five-minute skim against three or four non-negotiable criteria (specific skills, years of experience, location, availability) will tell you who's worth a proper look. Write those criteria down before you open a single resume and it stops you from being swayed by a well-formatted CV that doesn't actually meet the brief. 

Interview scheduling. This is the single biggest time sink in most hiring processes, purely from back-and-forth emails. A shared booking link cuts this down to almost nothing and it's worth setting up even for a one-off hire. 

Getting past the interview performance. Some candidates interview well and struggle in the role and the reverse also happens. A short skills test tells you more than a second interview round will. 

Checking cultural fit, not just skills. Ask candidates to describe how they handled a real disagreement with a manager or teammate. The answer tells you a lot about how they'll fit your team and it's a question most candidates haven't rehearsed. 

If you'd rather hand the whole process to someone else, that's exactly what we do at JP Smith Recruitment & Human Resources — sourcing, screening, skills testing and shortlisting, so you only see the candidates worth your time. But even if you're hiring solo this quarter, the steps above should save you a few hours. 

Want to talk through a specific role you're hiring for? Get in touch with one of our consultants.