The demand for tech talent continues to soar, leading to an influx of applications that can overwhelm even the most organized hiring teams. On average, each corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes, yet only four to six candidates are called for an interview, and just one receives an offer. Because of this, companies such as Amazon are using AI-based screening techniques to identify the best candidates quickly. To scale their hiring efforts in the same way, tech companies must balance automation with a personalized experience.
In this article, we share insights and tips to help companies find quality hires and create a positive candidate experience while adopting emerging technologies that can save time and alleviate stress.
The Challenge of High-Volume Applicants in Tech
Managing high volumes of applicants in the tech industry presents unique challenges that extend beyond simply filling open positions. Hiring managers are under pressure to quickly identify top talent, which often leads to time constraints and a struggle to maintain hire quality. The added emphasis on providing a positive candidate experience is even more difficult when juggling dozens — or even hundreds — of applicants per role.
In addition, job seekers are increasingly using mobile devices to search and apply for roles, with Americans averaging four hours and 25 minutes daily on their smartphones and checking them 144 times per day. In fact, 45% of job seekers use their mobile devices specifically to search for jobs at least once a day. It goes without saying that recruiters need to optimize their processes to efficiently manage this high volume and offer an exceptional candidate experience.
Leveraging Automation in the Application Process
With 77% of companies using or exploring AI software and 88% already leveraging it for recruitment, incorporating technology into the hiring process is a great way to streamline operations and improve outcomes. An AI applicant tracking system can help recruiters by automating time-consuming tasks, such as sorting through resumes and identifying top candidates based on set criteria.
AI-powered tools such as chatbots and automated communication systems also provide timely engagement with candidates when recruiters are unavailable or busy, creating a smoother experience. By integrating these tools, recruiters can save time and place a heavier focus on candidate quality and engagement.
AI-Powered Candidate Screening
In 2023, 12% of companies reported using AI for hiring, a number that continues to grow as organizations look for more efficient ways to manage high-volume recruitment. Automated candidate screening tools utilize AI to match resumes with job descriptions, making it easier to filter out unqualified candidates and focus on the top tech prospects.
These tools minimize human bias by evaluating applicants based on set criteria, which improves the quality of shortlisted candidates and ensures a fair hiring process. By integrating AI, companies can streamline how they evaluate candidates, making it a valuable tool for supercharging modern recruitment strategies, reducing overhead costs and filling open positions faster.
Maintaining a Personalized Candidate Experience
Today, high volume recruitment automation is necessary, but maintaining a personalized hiring process with technology is also a must to keep candidates engaged. With 54% of candidates abandoning the recruitment process due to poor communication, leveraging AI-powered chatbots and video interviewing tools can help keep interactions consistent and meaningful.
Since 98% of employees express a preference for remote work, tailoring communications to include video interview tools such as Zoom and being transparent about the hiring journey can also improve the candidate experience, even at scale. Other effective strategies include sending personalized emails, offering flexible interview formats and using emerging technologies to create a streamlined yet human-centric approach.
Best Practices for Efficient Applicant Management
Here are some best practices to streamline the recruitment process without compromising on quality:
- Programmatic job advertising: Programmatic job advertising uses algorithms for ad placements, guaranteeing job ads reach the right audience and reducing wasted spend. By targeting specific candidate segments, companies can optimize visibility, increase engagement and drive a better return on investment.
- Pre-employment assessments: Implementing pre-employment assessments early in the hiring process helps screen unqualified candidates so only the best move forward. This approach can reduce hiring time and encourage a higher quality of hire by focusing on candidates with the right skill set.
- Short applications: 92% of applicants abandon application forms that take longer than 15 minutes to complete. To prevent drop-off, companies should simplify the application process to focus on essential information, making it mobile-friendly and easy to complete.
- Skill benchmarking: Platforms such as iMocha offer skill benchmarking and organizational-level analytics, helping companies evaluate candidate skills against industry standards. This can also help companies to consistently hire top tech talent that aligns with their needs, setting a quality bar for future hires.
Balancing Efficiency and Quality in Tech Recruitment
Effectively managing high volumes of applicants requires a balanced approach that combines automation and emerging tech tools, such as AI applicant tracking systems, with a personalized candidate experience. While automation optimizes time and resources, it's still important to maintain a human touch to engage with and retain top talent. Here are some final thoughts and key takeaways:
- Create a personalized candidate experience with tools such as AI-powered chatbots, video interviews and clear, timely communication.
- Use data-driven programmatic job advertising to optimize ad placements and reach the right tech talent effectively.
- Implement assessments to evaluate candidate skills accurately and reduce time spent on manual screening.
Keep in mind that AI has limitations and may not suit every hiring scenario, so companies should focus on implementing a flexible strategy that they can adapt to meet the unique needs of each role. To streamline your hiring process and connect with the best tech talent, explore Dice's comprehensive recruitment and hiring solutions today.
