How to create an agile recruiting strategy

Jonathan Kidder

2 years ago

Agile recruiting is an approach to talent acquisition that emphasizes flexibility, speed, and collaboration. It is based on the principles of agile software development, which prioritize iterative development, continuous feedback, and quick adaptation to changing circumstances.

In the context of recruiting, agile methods involve breaking down the hiring process into smaller, more manageable tasks that can be completed quickly and efficiently. This might involve creating cross-functional teams, using data to inform decision-making, and constantly seeking feedback from candidates, hiring managers, and other stakeholders.

Agile recruiting is particularly well-suited for fast-paced, dynamic organizations that need to hire top talent quickly and efficiently. By embracing an agile approach, companies can streamline their hiring process, reduce time-to-hire, and ensure that they are bringing on the best possible candidates for each role.

The benefits of agile recruiting:

Agile recruiting offers several benefits to organizations, including:

Faster time-to-hire: By breaking down the hiring process into smaller, more manageable tasks, agile recruiting can help companies fill roles more quickly.

Increased collaboration: Agile recruiting emphasizes cross-functional teams and constant communication, which can lead to better collaboration and more effective decision-making.

Greater flexibility: Agile recruiting allows companies to adapt to changing circumstances and adjust their hiring strategy as needed, which can help them stay ahead of the competition.

Better candidate experience: By prioritizing continuous feedback and clear communication, agile recruiting can help candidates feel more engaged and valued throughout the hiring process.

Improved quality of hire: By using data to inform decision-making and constantly seeking feedback from stakeholders, agile recruiting can help companies make more informed hiring decisions and bring on the best possible candidates for each role.

How to implement agile into your recruiting strategies:

Agile recruiting is an effective way to streamline your recruitment process, increase collaboration, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Here are some tips to help you and your team implement agile recruiting:

Gather a small, cross-functional team of 3-9 people, excluding the Scrum Master and Product Owner. Consider using the Scrum framework to work in sprints and organize tasks. GE’s RaaS model is an example of how to successfully use the Scrum method.

Set key performance indicators (KPIs) to track metrics such as the ratio of candidates submitted to the hiring manager, job offer acceptance rate, and source of hire. Alter KPIs as needed to improve your recruitment process.

Break down recruitment projects into tasks and sprints to allocate specific tasks to team members and prioritize accordingly. Use visual tools such as Trello or Kanban boards to track progress.

Hold regular standups and communicate effectively with team members and hiring managers. Be remote-ready with the right collaboration tools, and offer praise to team members when deserved.

Assess metrics regularly to evaluate team performance and progress. Modify your process as needed based on feedback and learnings.

Implementing agile recruiting will make your recruitment process more efficient, collaborative, and adaptable to changing needs.

Want to become a more productive recruiter? I recommend reading my book: Productivity Hacks for Recruiters ←

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