Why Your Job Application Is Driving Top Retail Workers Away

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1rem||||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Capturing top talent for the retail, restaurant and hospitality industry is critical to the success of business. The marketplace may fluctuate with availability, but you’re looking for the best of the best no matter the conditions. You want talent that represents your company proudly: the kind of front-facing employee that turns patrons into return customers.
 
However, the best candidates know their worth and know their time is valuable so capturing the best available job seekers early in the process is key to long-term, successful new hires.
 
Your first point of contact with top talent is the application process. What does your process say about your company? Is it slow and frustrating, or does it scream urgency and efficiency? If it doesn’t meet their expectations, they’ll find another that does. Chatbots and AI create a seamless, streamlined application process that shows job seekers you value their time and talent. The standard form-based application can’t compare with the power and presentation technology affords.
 
Applications that attract
 
It starts with the application process: data shows as much as 55% of job seekers are looking for work on their smartphone and want to apply the same way. The prevalence of this is highest in the hospitality industries. If your application process isn’t mobile-enabled, you could be losing 25% of applicants before you even begin.
 
Once you have their attention, it’s important to keep it. A lengthy application process is quickly abandoned. Research shows 60% of applicants will quit an application if it’s taking too long. With an average completion time of less than 7 minutes, keeping candidates in the hiring funnel with AI is easy. Data reveals 73% of job seekers will complete their application and be ready for the next step in the process when applying is fast and easy.
 
Fast response scheduling
 
Playing phone tag with candidates, HR and hiring managers is time that turns candidates away. The longer it takes to schedule that first interview, the more opportunities your competition has to hire. Instant scheduling through tech captures candidates at their peak point of interest – as soon as they apply. Without the wasted time of phone screening, which is typically a repeat of questions already completed on the application, the hiring process is fast and responsive. Have you built in time-wasting redundancies in your process? With AI in your corner, you can screen and book a qualified candidate in less than 90 seconds.
 
Decrease time to hire
 
The best talent is not on the market for long. A lengthy time-to-hire can assure candidate loss. A CareerBuilder study found 55% of job seekers will abandon a company if time-to-hire is longer than 2 weeks. Tech-enabled hiring reduces the time it takes to schedule the first interview from weeks to days. Time-to-hire is also streamlined, with an average of 8 days from first point of contact to job offer. AI assures you get first crack at the best talent available.
 
The fact is you don’t pick talent, at least in the early stages of hiring, they pick you. Leveraging technology not only represents your company as forward-thinking, it shows you offer the best candidate experience possible. In addition to capturing the best talent available, quickly and effectively, you build your recruitment and company brand. The best hires are often word-of-mouth. Does your application process inspire candidates to recommend others to apply? When the hiring experience meets needs and expectations, job seekers are looking to work for you, not the other way around.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]