7 Phases in a Recruitment Process

The recruitment lifecycle consists of seven interrelated steps which are as follows:

Step 1

Identifying the Hiring Needs

Whether a job opening is newly formed or just vacated, you cannot find what you need if you don’t know what you need in the first place. So, your recruitment process should start with identifying the vacancies that exist followed by analyzing the job specifications including the knowledge, skills and experience needed for the role.

Step 2

Preparing the Job Description

Once you know exactly what you need in terms of knowledge, skills and experience, it is time to determine the duties and responsibilities of the job. Preparing a comprehensive job description (JD) will help you know what your potential employees must have in order to meet the demands of the role. More importantly, it provides your prospects with a checklist or a list that they can compare themselves to before applying. It is a tool to ensure that you get applications from the right candidates (hopefully).

Step 3

Talent Search

Identifying the right talent, attracting them and motivating them to apply are the most important aspects of the recruitment process. The job listing should be advertised internally to generate referrals as well as externally on popular social networking sites and preferred job boards. Recruiters can also conduct job fairs and promote openings in leading industry publications to cast a wider net.

Step 4

Screening and Shortlisting

In order to move forward with the recruitment process, you need to screen and shortlist applicants efficiently and accurately. This is where the recruitment process gets difficult and challenging. You can resolve this recruitment bottleneck by following these four steps:

Steps to Effectively Screen or Shortlist Candidates

Screen applications on the basis of minimum qualifications.
Next, sort resumes that have the preferred credentials by looking at their certifications, relevant experience, domain expertise, technical competencies and other specific skills that are required for the role.
Then, shortlist candidates who have both the preferred credentials and the minimum qualifications.
Finally, flag any concerns or queries in the resume so they can be clarified during the interview.

Step 5

Interviewing

The shortlisted applications will now move through the interview process prior to receiving an offer letter or a rejection note. Depending on the size of the hiring team and their unique recruitment needs, several interviews may be scheduled for every candidate.

Step 6

Evaluation and Offer of Employment

This is the final stage of the recruitment process. You should never take it for granted that the candidate will accept your offer. However, if your candidate has patiently completed all the paperwork and waited through the selection process, the odds of accepting the offer are high.

Step 7

Introduction and Induction of the New Employee

When applicants accept the job offer, they officially become the employees of the company. The joining date and time is communicated to the employee. Once that’s done, pre-employment screening that includes reference and background checks are conducted. Once the verification is done, the employees are then introduced to the organization. The induction process of the employees then begins. During the induction process, a welcome kit is usually given to the new employees, and then the employment contract is signed.

Recruitment Process