Seeking Advice on High-Volume Recruiting
Hello everyone! I’m a recruiter and could use some insight.
I started a new position about a month and a half ago, and I’m thrilled with my company and the role I have. However, I’ve found myself struggling to keep up with some of my requisitions, and I’m curious if it’s common to take a few months to acclimate to high-volume recruiting.
Here’s a bit about my background:
– 2 years in agency recruitment, focusing primarily on sourcing candidates.
– 1.5 years in corporate talent acquisition, which involved a limited candidate pool and very few applicants.
Currently, I’m back in internal recruiting, managing 12 job postings across 5 different cities, totaling 18 positions. While it may not seem like an overwhelming number, the constant turnover in some locations means that positions often remain open for longer. Each job posting attracts around 50-150 applicants, and I’m primarily working with entry-level roles, which is new territory for me.
I’ve been trying to keep my applicant pool manageable, but even at its lowest, it’s still the largest number of warm applicants I’ve ever dealt with. While I’m performing reasonably well, I’m facing challenges with two of my cities. Managing my time effectively has been tough—I often find myself working early and late, feeling like there’s never enough time in the day. I wish I could reach out to every applicant, but it just hasn’t been feasible.
On the positive side, I’m fortunate to have amazing leadership—truly the best I’ve ever experienced. But is it typical to need this long to adjust to high-volume recruiting? I’d appreciate any tips or advice you can share! Thank you!
RCadmin
Hi there!
First off, it’s great to hear that you love your new company and team! Transitioning to high-volume recruiting can definitely come with a learning curve, especially after working in environments with smaller candidate pools.
It’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first, especially considering the scale of your current role. Managing 12 job postings with high applicant volumes across multiple cities is no small feat! Here are a few tips that might help you streamline your process and regain some control over your workload:
Prioritize Your Requisitions: Focus on the roles that are most critical or have the most pressing needs. This can help you allocate your time and energy more effectively.
Set Up an Organized System: Use tools or software that can help you keep track of applicants and manage your time. An applicant tracking system (ATS) might help in sorting through applications more efficiently.
Batch Review Applications: Consider setting specific periods each day or week to review applications rather than doing it continuously. This can help you stay focused and reduce decision fatigue.
Leverage Automation: Use templates for initial communication or rejection emails to save time. Additionally, if possible, utilize scheduling tools to set up interviews more efficiently.
Build a Pipeline: Since you’re dealing with entry-level positions, consider creating a pipeline for potential future applicants. Engage with passive candidates or past applicants who didn’t make it last time but could be great fits later.
Delegate: If you have any team members, consider delegating tasks like screening to lighten your load.
Check-In Regularly: Since you mentioned you have wonderful leadership, keep an open line of communication. Regular check-ins can provide not only support but also help identify if there are more resources available to assist you.
Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself—adjusting to a new volume is a process, and every recruiter goes through it at some point. Give yourself time to find your rhythm, and remember that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Good luck, and you’ve got this!