Recruitment Funnel: HR Tips

The recruitment funnel provides a clear visual representation of candidate selection featuring its stages and outcomes. Each level shows how many candidates were eliminated and how many advanced to the next stage. However, HR professionals use this tool for more than just visual clarity. A well-constructed funnel, from initial idea to internship, helps them attract and retain performing employees. Conversely, an improperly designed funnel can lead to unnecessary financial and labor costs.

Candidate funnels incorporates an algorithm designed to identify hiring challenges, plan the process, predict the number of applicants, and optimize the procedure for attracting the best candidates. Results are analyzed based on the recruitment funnel conversion rate. This is a percentage indicating the number of applicants who successfully passed on to the next stage. It is calculated by dividing the number of candidates who passed a level by the number of candidates at the previous level, multiplied by 100.

Recruitment Funnel Stages

  1. Gearing up. This stage involves creating the job posting, defining the ideal candidate profile, selecting resources for posting the ad, and promoting the employer company.
  2. Collecting applications. For the convenience of both recruiters and applicants, simple and efficient forms should be available for collecting and processing resumes.
  3. Initial Candidate Screening. This stage involves filtering out candidates who do not meet the requirements and identifying specialists most relevant to the job. Utilizing automated resume screening software like Experium, Recruiter, etc. is optimal for this step.
  4. Interviewing. This involves online or offline communication between HR and shortlisted candidates. The direct supervisor or company leader may also participate in the interview process. Candidates should be evaluated based on key criteria, and the interview conversion rate should be calculated. This is done by dividing the number of candidates who proceed to the next stage by the total number of interviewees.
  5. Hiring. This is the final stage where the chosen candidate is selected and transitioned to the internship. It's important to act quickly, as the candidate may change their mind or accept an offer from another employer.
To effectively build the funnel and analyze it, you need to consistently conduct all stages of the selection process and record the intermediate results.

Expert HR Tips

  • Your recruitment funnel should accurately reflect the real steps and actions taken by both candidates and HR throughout the hiring process. Otherwise, it will be of little actual help.
  • Each job opening should have its own funnel. This allows for objective and effective analysis.
  • Record all candidate rejections, including the reason and stage of the selection process. This will help improve the job offer and refine candidate requirements.
  • Once the funnel is established, carefully review it, draw conclusions, and take action to improve the hiring process.
  • To expand the candidate funnel, increase the reach of potential candidates at the initial stage. This can be achieved by posting the job on international freelance platforms like EasyBusy, for example.
Well-structured recruitment funnels make the hiring process more efficient and user-friendly. This, in turn, has a positive impact on the business, as it ensures the employment of qualified and competent specialists.