The Challenge: Managing High Application Volumes Without an ATS
As a much-loved brand, KOOKAÏ receives thousands of applications every month from eager candidates. Yet, without an applicant tracking system (ATS), KOOKAÏ faced the ongoing challenge of manually handling the high volume of job applications while providing an exceptional experience to every candidate.
Each application was reviewed individually, and conducting screening calls to gather more information consumed significant time for the head office recruitment team.
With its busiest trading period approaching, KOOKAÏ needed to find a way to scale its existing world-class candidate experience to an increased volume of applicants.
We’d been doing everything manually for years and have reached a scale where we wanted to trial implementing a platform that could assist us with delivering an even better experience for our applicants, who are also our customers.
-- Elly Newman, Recruitment Manager
The Solution: Streamlined Recruitment with Mercu’s AI Automation
To address these issues, KOOKAÏ implemented Mercu’s AI-powered recruitment platform. Mercu automates key administrative elements of the hiring process, from initial screening to scheduling and follow-ups, all via WhatsApp and SMS.
Additionally, KOOKAÏ used Mercu to conduct over 1,500 asynchronous video interviews, entirely replacing its screening call process. This enabled KOOKAÏ to identify high-potential candidates at scale and fast-track them for an in-person interview at its head office.
Candidates could also engage directly with KOOKAÏ's on-demand AI careers assistant via WhatsApp and SMS, and they did so in their thousands. Previously, candidates would have needed to wait for a recruiter's response; now, they could get instant answers to everything from what to wear to the interview to how to best prepare.
Results: Time Savings, Higher Attendance, and Enhanced Candidate Experience
The pilot with Mercu produced transformative results for KOOKAÏ:
- 240+ hours saved: Mercu’s automation saved 10 minutes of repetitive admin work per candidate, adding up to 240 hours saved across nearly 1,500 applicants in just 6 weeks. This freed HQ teams up to focus on other more high-leverage activities like talent sourcing and spending time with high-potential candidates.
- Near-Perfect Interview Attendance: Automated reminders and easy scheduling through Mercu’s platform resulted in almost 100% interview attendance, with only one candidate failing to attend after confirming—dramatically reducing the prior rate of interview “ghosting.”
- Enhanced Candidate Experience: Feedback from candidates highlighted the convenience and ease of the process, which positively impacted KOOKAÏ’s employer brand. The streamlined process not only saved time but reinforced KOOKAÏ’s reputation for providing a modern, candidate-friendly hiring experience.
Mercu has been amazing for us. The time we save means we can invest more in supporting our team and creating a great experience for both new hires and our customers. Plus, knowing that candidates appreciate the process is a win for our brand.
-- Alia Fernandez, People & Development Manager
The Challenge: Managing High Application Volumes Without an ATS
As a much-loved brand, KOOKAÏ receives thousands of applications every month from eager candidates. Yet, without an applicant tracking system (ATS), KOOKAÏ faced the ongoing challenge of manually handling the high volume of job applications while providing an exceptional experience to every candidate.
Each application was reviewed individually, and conducting screening calls to gather more information consumed significant time for the head office recruitment team.
With its busiest trading period approaching, KOOKAÏ needed to find a way to scale its existing world-class candidate experience to an increased volume of applicants.
We’d been doing everything manually for years and have reached a scale where we wanted to trial implementing a platform that could assist us with delivering an even better experience for our applicants, who are also our customers.
-- Elly Newman, Recruitment Manager
The Solution: Streamlined Recruitment with Mercu’s AI Automation
To address these issues, KOOKAÏ implemented Mercu’s AI-powered recruitment platform. Mercu automates key administrative elements of the hiring process, from initial screening to scheduling and follow-ups, all via WhatsApp and SMS.
Additionally, KOOKAÏ used Mercu to conduct over 1,500 asynchronous video interviews, entirely replacing its screening call process. This enabled KOOKAÏ to identify high-potential candidates at scale and fast-track them for an in-person interview at its head office.
Candidates could also engage directly with KOOKAÏ's on-demand AI careers assistant via WhatsApp and SMS, and they did so in their thousands. Previously, candidates would have needed to wait for a recruiter's response; now, they could get instant answers to everything from what to wear to the interview to how to best prepare.
Results: Time Savings, Higher Attendance, and Enhanced Candidate Experience
The pilot with Mercu produced transformative results for KOOKAÏ:
- 240+ hours saved: Mercu’s automation saved 10 minutes of repetitive admin work per candidate, adding up to 240 hours saved across nearly 1,500 applicants in just 6 weeks. This freed HQ teams up to focus on other more high-leverage activities like talent sourcing and spending time with high-potential candidates.
- Near-Perfect Interview Attendance: Automated reminders and easy scheduling through Mercu’s platform resulted in almost 100% interview attendance, with only one candidate failing to attend after confirming—dramatically reducing the prior rate of interview “ghosting.”
- Enhanced Candidate Experience: Feedback from candidates highlighted the convenience and ease of the process, which positively impacted KOOKAÏ’s employer brand. The streamlined process not only saved time but reinforced KOOKAÏ’s reputation for providing a modern, candidate-friendly hiring experience.
Mercu has been amazing for us. The time we save means we can invest more in supporting our team and creating a great experience for both new hires and our customers. Plus, knowing that candidates appreciate the process is a win for our brand.
-- Alia Fernandez, People & Development Manager
