HR Glossary

Hiring Process

Hiring process refers to the process of finding, selecting and hiring new employees to a company. Since the process requires strategic and pragmatic thinking while staying humane there are certain steps to follow to make it successful.

what-is-hiring-process

Hiring process definition

The hiring process refers to the process of finding, selecting, and hiring new employees to a company. This process has three key segments: planning, recruitment, and employee selection.

Hiring process steps

1. Hiring process step #1: Identifying hiring needs

As the initial step of the hiring process, human resources together with other decision-makers should clearly identify the hiring need. When looking into upcoming projects, you should definitely establish some long-term and short-term hiring needs. This automatically leads us to the second point on this list – planning.

2. Hiring process step #2: Planning

Creating a sufficient plan for your hiring will not only make you more efficient but will also help you have a good understanding of the current as well as the future needs of the company. For that purpose, it is beneficial to specify starting dates and other technicalities with your hiring team.

Download our Free Hiring Plan Template and adjust your hiring strategy to your needs! –> DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE

3. Hiring process step #3: Creating a job description

When creating a job description, make sure to include the following elements: company description, job requirements, duties and responsibilities, and ultimately cover letter. Besides mentioning all the important details within your job description, make sure to make that text as eye-catching as possible.

4. Hiring process step #4: Recruiter and hiring manager intake meeting

The purpose of a hiring manager recruiter intake meeting is to have a clear understanding of all the needs and expectations of the new hire, including the technicalities revolving around the role. This meeting takes place prior to posting a job opening online and its purpose is mainly to define all important details about the future position.

5. Hiring process step #5: Posting and promoting job openings

Posting jobs online became one of the essential ways of making sure that people see and apply for the position. For that reason, companies are oftentimes trying to spread the word as much as they can by posting their job opening on various job boards, different social media or some online portals.

6. Hiring process step #6: Applicant screening

After the applicants finished their application, it is time to look into their application forms and evaluate their CVs, cover letters, or any other type of document they might have attached to the application. Then comes the process of screening results in eliminating candidates that are a clear mismatch for the role, moving forward to the following stages with the ones that are more qualified.

7. Hiring process step #7: Job Interviews

When planning a job interview, there are several things that you should always take into account prior to conducting it. Job interviews require planning and preparation. Firstly, you should create a list of interview questions. Afterward, you should determine how the interview process is going to look like. Whether you will be conducting a live or a phone interview, how long will the interview last and what type of knowledge will you be examining during the interview?

8. Hiring process step #8: Applicant talent assessment

Applicant talent assessments are tests designed to help employers evaluate the skills of their job candidates and employees. Using the skills assessment test helps companies ensure that the job candidates, as well as their current employees, have the required skills to successfully perform their jobs. When designing an assessment, make sure to think of all the skills and knowledge essential for the role.

9. Hiring process step #9: Background check & Reference checks

Background and reference checks refer to a recruiting process method used by hiring managers/recruiters to get more information about a candidate by contacting his/her previous employers, schools, etc. Conducting a reference check helps recruiters not only check the validity of information but also make decisions based on a conversation with a person that used to work with your potential future colleague.

10. Hiring process step #10: Pre-employment testing

Pre-employment assessments are simple, quick, and fun for recruiters, interviewers, hiring managers, as well as candidates. Generally, it takes too much time and effort for a recruiter or hiring manager to interview each candidate and select the best person for the open position.

11. Hiring process step #11: Decision

Finally, after all, assessments and checks, it is decision time! Evaluating which candidate will be the best cultural fit while satisfying all requirements is never easy. But when all the previous steps are respected there is no space for uncertainty. After all, you have been planning, strategizing, and checking all information for quite some time now, right?:)

12. Hiring process step #12: Job offer

A formal job offer letter/e-mail is a document which an employer sends to the selected candidate in order to offer them a job for a certain position at their company. Making all the aspects of a job as clear as possible to the new hire is extremely important for both candidates and companies. This is why is necessary to send a formal job offer letter/e-mail to your chosen candidate.

13. Hiring process step #13: Hiring

Only when your candidate decides to accept your offer and signs the contract can you talk about hiring. However, the job is not done yet…

14. Hiring process step #14: Onboarding

More and more companies are starting to understand the importance of good onboarding. Even more so, once a company hires new talent, some believe this is only when the job starts. Onboarding the candidates means introducing them to the culture and the people as well as giving them all important information and training to be able to excel at their job as soon as possible.

See TalentLyft in action

Applicant Tracking, Recruitment Marketing, Sourcing and Talent CRM software are powerful alone, but unstoppable when used together!


Related content

  • Affirmative action is an HR policy which ensures equal employment opportunities and focuses on groups and minorities who tend to suffer from job discrimination.Affirmative action definitionAffirmative...

  • Blended workforce consists of a variety of employees on different types of contracts such as full-time staff, part-time employees, temporary employees, independent contractors and freelancers.Blended workforce...

  • Candidate is a job seeker who has been pre-qualified for a specific position or category of jobs and has been through the application processWhat's a candidate?A...

  • Competency modeling is a framework for defining the skills, knowledge and behavior requirements of a job. Competency modeling definitionCompetency modeling is a framework for defining the skills,...

  • Developmental counseling is a type of shared counseling where employers work together with employees to identify strengths and weaknesses, resolve performance-related problems and determine and create...

Explore more topics

  • Collaborative Hiring

    In the modern workplace, hiring has become a team effort, and collaborative hiring is the key to unlocking its full potential. Our Collaborative Hiring section is your central resource for a collection of insightful blog posts and resources dedicated to mastering the art of collaborative hiring. Delve into the strategies, best practices, and tools that HR professionals, hiring managers, and team leaders can use to create a more inclusive and effective hiring process!

  • Recruitment Software

    Optimize your hiring process with powerful recruitment software. Streamline candidate sourcing, applicant tracking, and interview scheduling while improving efficiency and reducing time-to-hire. Learn how the right recruitment software can help you attract top talent, enhance collaboration, and make data-driven hiring decisions for better results.

  • Tech Recruiting

    Master the art of recruiting top tech talent in a competitive market. Learn strategies for sourcing, attracting, and assessing skilled candidates in IT, software development, and other tech fields. Stay ahead with the latest tools, techniques, and trends to secure the best talent for your tech roles.

  • Turnover and Retention

    Reduce turnover and improve retention with proven strategies. Learn how to identify the causes of employee turnover, implement retention programs, and create a positive workplace culture that fosters loyalty. By focusing on employee engagement and satisfaction, you can retain top talent and strengthen your organization’s long-term success.

  • Skill Assessments

    Enhance your hiring process with skill assessments. Evaluate candidates' abilities and competencies through tailored assessments designed to measure job-specific skills. Learn how to incorporate skill assessments to identify top talent, ensure the right fit, and make data-driven hiring decisions that improve performance and reduce turnover.

  • Recruitment by Industry

    Tailor your recruitment strategies to fit specific industries. Learn the unique challenges and best practices for hiring in sectors like healthcare, tech, retail, finance, and more. Discover industry-specific approaches to sourcing talent, crafting job descriptions, and optimizing your recruitment efforts for success.

Simple and affordable recruitment software