How To Collapse the Hiring Timeline

Has a last-minute resignation landed on your desk? Did a new role just get approved and budgeted? Or, has a finalist declined a job offer? If you need to hire talent fast and you are looking for ways to collapse the hiring timeline, below are some proven strategies to implement in a pinch.

Review applications for similar positions
Are there similar openings that you have filled recently or are in the process of filling? If so, go through the full stack of applications and reach out to those individuals who you think might be a good fit.

Perform group interviews
If candidates have traditionally interviewed individually with prospective colleagues, can you change the interview format to a group interview? Group interviews can be extremely effective in finding top talent and saving precious time.

Reach out to your faculty and staff
Make a point of asking your team to share the opening with their individual networks. The more people who view the opportunity, the greater chance one or more will apply -- especially if it comes from a trusted source.

Post the goal hire date
For many applicants, having a quick hiring process is attractive. By posting this information in the job description you can convert more job seekers into applicants.

Look internally
If your traditional hiring time is several months or more, is there an internal candidate who might transition into the role with some training? Training the internal employee might be faster than filling the role externally.

Pay to post
For hard-to-fill positions that you need to fill fast, it can be well worth the expense to post on a range of job boards. The more eyes you have looking at the opening, the greater chance you will have of getting applicants.

By implementing one or more of these tips, you should be able to move faster and keep your eye on finding the talent you need to fill the role. Good luck with these quick searches!