6 Game-Changing Recruiting Technology Trends for Small and Midsize Businesses

In today’s digital age, businesses across various industries have been embracing technology to streamline their operations, and human resources (HR) is no exception. Recruiting technology now plays a pivotal role in efficiently pinpointing your qualified candidates while minimizing turnover during those pivotal first few months.

If you haven't yet embraced HR technology, you might be spending more time and resources than necessary in your HR and recruitment processes, which could directly impact the quality of candidates you receive. 

Here's a comprehensive guide on the what, why, and how of leveraging HR and recruiting technology, especially for small to midsize businesses.

Must-Have HR Tech Tools and Systems for Recruitment

To understand how recruiting technology streamlines your processes, you need to first know which tools (the “what”) your competitors are using for recruiting and onboarding.

1. Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Applicant Tracking Systems help hiring managers stay organized as they sort, interview, and offer jobs to candidates. Most platforms allow talent acquisition teams to post job vacancies across multiple job sites, seamlessly filter through resumes, set up automatic responses, and view applicant status through the hiring funnel.

2. Paperless Onboarding System

A paperless onboarding system allows new employees to complete all legal paperwork before their first day of work. As the employer, you can view completion progress, track employee signatures, and retain records for future reference and compliance requirements.

3. Online Benefits Enrollment 

With an online benefits platform, employees have access to all the information they need to compare plan options and enroll at their convenience. This is a significant time saver for your onboarding process.

4. Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)

An HRIS (also referred to as a Human Resource Management System or HRMS) is a system that allows you to store, manage, and track employee data for various HR functions. While you can purchase stand-alone platforms for applicant tracking, paperless onboarding, and online benefits enrollment, an HRIS typically houses each of these recruiting technology systems, in addition to other HR platforms such as payroll and timekeeping.

Having fully-integrated systems within an HRIS makes this system especially powerful to give real-time data for business decisions.

5. Pre-Employment Screening Tools

Pre-employment tests add an extra layer of confidence in your hiring decisions and candidate relationship management. By leveraging test validity, you ensure that these assessments measure what they're supposed to, which increases reliability in candidate selection for your hiring managers.

For example, pre-employment tests like mechanical reasoning assessments ensure you hire someone with a strong grasp of mechanical concepts, which is crucial for mechanical and manufacturing jobs. Utilizing these pre-employment screening tools are a valuable add to your recruitment process.

6. Online Assessment Platforms

Online assessment platforms are transforming the way you evaluate potential employees. They offer a wide variety of tests that can shed light on skills, personality traits, and cognitive abilities in a more efficient and engaging manner. These cutting-edge tools provide you with data-driven insights to make informed hiring decisions.

The Advantages of Implementing Recruiting Technology

Incorporating HR tools, including hiring and recruiting technology, provides several advantages (the “why”) for your recruitment processes. Our top advantages include the following:

• Time savings and efficiencies

  Recruitment technology automates repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic and value-added activities. Applicant tracking systems (ATS), for instance, help manage job postings, track job seekers' applications, and streamline communication, saving time and effort for recruiters.

• Enhanced candidate experience

  A smooth and efficient hiring process can positively impact candidates' perception of the company. Paperless onboarding and streamlined enrollment processes can create a positive impression from the beginning, leading to increased candidate satisfaction and higher chances of attracting top talent.

• Data-driven decision-making

  When it comes to making smarter hiring decisions, data analytics can be your secret weapon. These provide rich insights that have the power to transform your entire recruitment process. Data-driven approaches enable you to sift through mountains of candidate information, pinpointing key trends and patterns that lead to successful hires.

• Collaboration and communication

  HR technology facilitates better collaboration among team members and other stakeholders involved in the hiring process. With digital tools, everyone can access real-time information and updates, leading to better communication and coordination.

• Reduced paperwork and costs

  Going digital means less reliance on paperwork, reducing printing and storage costs. It also minimizes the risk of document loss or misplacement and creates easy access for audits or reports.

• Improved compliance

  HR technology often comes equipped with features to help ensure compliance with labor laws, data protection regulations, and other legal requirements. This reduces the risk of errors and potential legal consequences.

• Scalability and adaptability

  As businesses grow, traditional HR processes can become cumbersome. Technology allows for scalability, making it easier to manage a larger workforce and accommodate changing needs.

• Strategic decision-making

  With recruitment metrics analysis, you're no longer shooting in the dark. Instead, you're leveraging concrete data for more strategic decision-making. Imagine harnessing predictive hiring models which use historical data to forecast future hiring success. These innovative tools provide a glimpse into the potential performance before an offer is even made!

• Global reach

  With recruiting technology, companies can attract candidates from around the world, making the hiring process more inclusive and diverse. Your HR managers can then incorporate video interviews and remote skills assessments to screen candidates for applicable job openings.

Overall, leveraging recruitment technology brings numerous benefits that can significantly improve the recruiting process, making it more efficient, cost-effective, and candidate-friendly. A balance of automation and human touch is crucial to ensure a successful and personalized hiring experience.

Think all these tools are out of your budget? Contact Stratus HR today for a comprehensive, end-to-end solution.

Stratus Can Help You Get Affordable HR Solutions

With data analytics, you can sift through candidates with precision, ensuring fair and unbiased decisions. If you believe such tools are unreachable or unaffordable, Stratus HR is here to help (the “how”).

We offer recruiting technology as part of our advanced HR suite of tools. You also gain access to a certified HR expert to provide advice on which additional tools your company should use (such as background checks or pre-employment assessments), as well as guidance with writing job descriptions to target candidates.

Stay on top of this competitive market with Stratus helping you with your human resources management.  For more information, please book a free consultation and our team will contact you shortly.