Deskless Work

Cost Centres of High-Volume Hiring

Jascha Zittel

High-volume hiring is common in many industries, especially those with a high turnover rate or seasonal demand. It involves recruiting a large number of individuals within a short window of time, often to cover a short period of trade.

Introduction to High-Volume Hiring

Finding the right balance between quality and quantity can be a real challenge when recruiting in high-volume industries, such as retail, hospitality, and customer service. 

It requires a streamlined approach to quickly attract, assess, and hire candidates. This process is often driven by the need to meet specific business goals, such as opening new store locations, increasing production, or to cater for seasonal spikes in customer activity.

When it comes to high-volume hiring, companies need to think beyond traditional recruitment methods. It's not just about posting job ads and waiting for applications to flood in. Instead, it requires a proactive approach to sourcing candidates, reaching out to potential hires, and creating a seamless hiring experience.

One of the key challenges in high-volume hiring is managing the sheer volume of applications. With hundreds or even thousands of candidates applying for multiple positions, it can be overwhelming for recruiters to review each application thoroughly. This is where technology can play a crucial role.

Recruiting high volumes of employees in a short amount of time can be a daunting task for HR departments. It requires efficient processes, effective screening methods, and streamlined onboarding procedures. Technology has played a significant role in simplifying high-volume hiring with the advent of applicant tracking systems and online assessments. These tools help HR professionals manage large volumes of applications, identify the most suitable candidates, and expedite the hiring process.

Identifying Cost Centres in High-Volume Hiring

While high-volume hiring can be an effective strategy to quickly build up a workforce, it comes with its own financial implications. Companies must identify these cost centres to make informed decisions and optimise their hiring processes. 

One of the main financial considerations in high-volume hiring is the cost of advertising and sourcing candidates. Companies often invest in various recruitment channels, such as job boards, social media platforms, and recruitment agencies, to attract a large pool of applicants. These costs can quickly add up, especially when hiring for multiple positions simultaneously.

The process of vetting candidates through interviews as well as the admin overhead required in itself is a financial cost, realised through the salaries of TA reps as well as hiring managers.

Another cost centre is training and onboarding. In high-volume industries, turnover rates can be high, and companies need to invest in training to ensure new hires are properly equipped to perform their duties. This includes training on company policies, procedures, and customer service skills. The cost of training materials, trainers' time, and potential productivity loss during the training period can all contribute to the overall cost of hiring.

Furthermore, inefficiencies in high-volume hiring itself can be a major financial cost to the organisation. High time-to-fill creates vacant positions, leading to decreased productivity and increased workload for existing employees. Therefore, companies must balance speed and quality in the hiring process, ensuring that they hire the right candidates efficiently.

Measuring Cost Efficiency

Organisations need to measure their cost efficiency in high-volume hiring. By tracking and analysing key metrics, companies can gain insights into the effectiveness of their hiring processes and make data-driven decisions to optimise costs.

One important metric to consider is the cost per hire, which refers to the total cost incurred to recruit and onboard a new employee. This includes advertising expenses, recruiter fees, background checks, and onboarding costs. By calculating the cost per hire, companies can compare it to industry benchmarks and identify areas where they can reduce costs without compromising quality.

Employee turnover is another metric to keep an eye on. High turnover rates can significantly impact costs, as companies must constantly invest in hiring and training new employees. By identifying the root causes of turnover and implementing strategies to improve retention, organisations can reduce costs associated with turnover and build a more stable workforce.

Strategies for Cost Optimisation

There are several strategies that companies can employ to optimise costs in high-volume hiring:

  • Streamline the recruitment process: Implementing an applicant tracking system and leveraging automation can help streamline the recruitment process, reducing time and resources spent on manual tasks.
  • Utilise pre-screening assessments: By using pre-screening assessments, companies can quickly evaluate candidates' skills and qualifications, saving time in the screening phase.
  • Improve job postings: Crafting clear and concise job postings that accurately reflect the roles and responsibilities can attract qualified candidates, reducing the need for extensive screening.
  • Invest in employee referral programs: Encouraging employees to refer qualified candidates can be a cost-effective way to source potential hires, as it bypasses traditional recruitment methods.

By implementing these strategies, companies can optimise their high-volume hiring processes, reduce costs, and improve the overall efficiency of their recruiting efforts.

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