Are you a rude hiring manager?

The hiring process is drastically different than it was a few years ago. While some smaller companies may still need to update the technology they use, the way hiring managers approach vetting each candidate has evolved – without many even knowing that it has! The length of the process, for example, has lengthened dramatically.

A Glassdoor analysis conducted for the New York Times in 2014 showed that, while the average interview process lasted 12 days in 2009, by 2013 this figure nearly doubled to 23 days. Most applicants have now come to expect multiple phone calls, video interviews, in-person meetings, personality or skills tests and even mock presentations or assignments, to get the job they want.

While all of these methods are beneficial for employers wanting to make smarter hiring decisions and reduce costs associated with bad hires, the Harvard Business Review wrote an article describing the rise of the “rude hiring manager.”

Would you say your hiring process is not welcoming to new applicants?

What is a rude hiring manager?
When most envision a rude hiring manager, they picture a gruff individual who makes applicants wait well past their initial interview time and then don’t seem to vary from their prescribed interview questions to have a conversation and get to know the candidates. While it varies from industry to industry, in today’s fast-paced culture, it is hard to deny that certain hiring methods may be evolving into rude, or even mechanical, processes. For example, some applicants will apply for a position online and nearly immediately receive an impersonal rejection email, taking the concept of rude hiring manager to a completely different level.

As giant industry leaders like Yahoo or Uber receive thousands of applicants a week, there is no way for hiring managers to evaluate each individual in a timely manner. This is why these companies use software screenings to handle the first round of resume vetting. While this is beneficial for larger companies with high hiring volumes, other smaller companies may be getting a bad wrap for their rude hiring practices or managers.

Are you a rude hiring manager? What can you do to change this?
If your office frequently takes too long to get back to potential hires and doesn’t value applicants’ time, opinions or viewpoints, you may need to reevaluate your hiring process. As recommended by the Harvard Business Review, here are a few simple steps hiring managers can take to ensure that the hiring process is comfortable and beneficial for all parties involved:

• Make the process as transparent as possible. If you receive large volumes of applicants, be upfront about it during the initial application process. Let candidates know that it may take some time for you to get back to them or continue the process. While this is helpful, also provide a flexible timeframe in which candidates can expect an answer. For job-seekers applying to multiple positions, knowing when to hope for an answer will be quite the relief.
• Remember to be courteous – even if you don’t hire them. While no one loves receiving a rejection email or phone call, it is far more welcome than radio silence. Today, it is increasingly more common for candidates to apply or even get far into the hiring process and then never hear from the hiring managers again. Always follow up with a courtesy phone call or email – even if you aren’t going to hire them.
• Use pre-employment tests to gauge skills or behaviors. While mock assignments or presentations can be beneficial for both the employer and the employee, they slow down the hiring process tremendously. When vetting potential hires, limit the amount of these trial activities and consider using pre-employment tests instead. Not only are they fast and easy to use, but they will also provide reliable results indicating whether or not applicants have what it takes to do the job well. This takes the burden off you and speeds up the process for your candidates, making it a perfect choice for all involved.

Contact EmployTest today to learn more about how our skills tests can help you hire smarter at your company!