What is recruitment?

The process of discovering and employing the finest and most competent individual for a work opportunity fairly and cost-effectively is referred to as recruitment in human resource management. It is also known as the act of locating potential individuals and motivating and pushing them to compete for positions within a firm. It is a complete process with a complete life cycle that originates with the assessment of the organizational requirements in relation to the position and continues with the employee's engagement with the organization.

Importance of recruitment process

Alignment to business goals

Organizations ensure that the skills and experience of their personnel or workforce are matched with their activities and objectives through recruitment. If they detect that some roles are not contributing to the company's objectives, they can take the necessary steps to rectify the situation, which may include job restructuring, manpower realignment, or the implementation of job enhancement initiatives.

Effective recruitment

Efficient recruitment means that the individual hired for the position is the finest applicant for the job, with all of the necessary skills and credentials. Effective hiring, on the other hand, implies that the process was completed without the organization spending significant costs. By implementing the process, the human resources department will have a better chance of finding the best candidate for the job.

Adherence to company policies

When it concerns human resource management, organizations must follow a different set of rules, regulations, and guidelines. Two of these are equal opportunities in employment and non-discrimination in recruitment. The likelihood of the organization breaking these regulations is slim if they implement a recruitment process.

Factors influencing recruitment

Numerous things influence recruitment. These elements have a significant impact on whether or not the recruitment strategy is effective.

Company size

A tiny business, such as a new business that is just getting started, will only need a small team. When making comparisons, it is evident that the smaller company's recruiting process will be easier, more transparent, and quicker, with only one or two employees involved. The larger organization, on the other hand, will have a longer and more complicated recruitment procedure that will involve numerous members of the organization.

Prevalent employment conditions

Try contrasting employment prospects in an advanced economy with those in a developing economy. An organization working in a developing economy may have trouble recruiting employees with the necessary qualities and capabilities. The accessibility of potential employees is a major challenge in the economy in which a company operates. This issue will require the organization to redesign and execute its recruitment system in a manner that addresses it.

Pay structure

Let us say a corporation is recognized for paying its employees better salaries and benefits. Applicants are likely to queue up to submit their applications once the vacancy is advertised. A company that is notorious for paying low salaries, on the other hand, will have a harder time attracting competent people. Furthermore, it may have difficulty keeping or retaining its personnel, as no individual would want to work for a long period for a business that does not compensate them adequately for their contributions.

Working conditions

Sustaining employees’ job satisfaction is one strategy for businesses to retain employees while also attracting new ones. Job candidates will look for jobs in firms or organizations that are known for providing decent working environments and caring for their employees' health and well-being.

Good practices in recruitment

Establish a structured recruitment process

A process will only be effective if it is implemented, no matter how well and documented it is.

• Engage in and continue to develop highly qualified hiring managers: If the company has its own human resources staff in charge of the hiring process, the best people must be hired to do the duties and responsibilities. Make certain that the recruiters who join the team have the necessary skills and abilities. The organization should also provide opportunities for these recruiters to improve and refine their talents by instructing them and offering possibilities for them to expand and develop their skills.
• Create and maintain a good rapport with recruiters and recruiting professionals: If you hire hiring managers, recruitment specialists, or advisors to help you with your recruitment, make sure you create and manage a healthy and favorable connection with them. This will encourage them to conduct all your hiring procedures properly and swiftly, assuring the highest possible quality of hire.

Use of internet

The internet is now used for the majority of business activities. As a result, firms can benefit from having an employment portal, from which all hiring processes get done. For starters, it's a good way to advertise open positions or vacancies. It is also an excellent opportunity for the company to promote itself as a genuinely good place to work. The following are advantages of establishing a career website:

• Savings on the administration of employment procedures, especially in terms of labor and time
• Advantages of procurement because the prospects will contact the organization themselves.
• Boosting the company's brand image and reputation.
• Enhanced applicant quality, as a result of which the quality of employed personnel has increased.

Smart sourcing technologies 

Expenses can be minimized by utilizing smart sourcing technology and other tools, allowing small firms to compete in the hiring process, despite the threat of larger corporations hovering over them.

The conventional consensus is that larger organizations have a better chance of attracting top talent since they have more finances and accessibility to more technologies. Smart sourcing technologies have leveled the playing field a lot, allowing small enterprises to compete on an equal footing. Automation of job listing and hiring practices, the creation of a talent pool, and the use of social networks and online connections in the recruitment process are all instances of smart procurement.

A good relationship with management

A connection has been formed between the company and the applicants once the business announces its desire to hire staff and applicants indicate their enthusiasm for the post. It, like other commercial partnerships, must be carefully handled. The short-term goal here is to guarantee that the prospects have a positive experience with the organization, even if they are ultimately not hired. The long-term goal, on the other hand, is to maintain long-term relationships with prospects so that they will continue to be willing to work for your firm in the future. This can also help potential applicants see your company in a positive light.

Context and Applications

The importance and evidence of recruitment are ubiquitous in all workplaces. It is the process of hiring resources, practiced all around the world.

This topic is relevant to students in the following graduate and postgraduate courses:

• Bachelors in Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
• Masters in Business Administration (Human Resource Management)

Practice Problems

1. The recruitment process is important for which reasons?

1. To align to organizational objectives
2. To increase the turnover rate
3. To build a poor relationship with candidates
4. None of the above

Answer: Option a

Explanation: Organizations ensure that the skills and experience of their personnel or workforce are matched with their activities and objectives through recruitment.

2. What does effective recruitment mean?

1. The individual hired is the best applicant
2. The company does not incur any costs
3. Job restructuring and workforce reorganization
4. Both (a) and (b)

Answer: Option d

Explanation: Efficient recruitment means that the individual hired for the position is the finest applicant for the job, with all of the necessary skills, skills, and credentials. Effective hiring, on the other hand, implies that the process was completed without the organization spending significant costs.

3. Which of the following factors affect recruitment?

1. Company size
2. Good leadership
3. Pay structure
4. Both (a) and (c)

Answer: Option d

Explanation: It is evident that the smaller company’s recruiting process will be easier, more transparent, and quicker, with only one or two employees involved. The larger organization, on the other hand, will have a longer and more complicated recruitment procedure that will involve numerous members of the organization.

4. Which of the following indicates an effective recruitment process?

1. The company has its own human resources staff
2. A good rapport with recruiters and recruiting professionals
3. Both (a) and (b)
4. All of the above

Answer: Option c

Explanation: If the company has its own human resources staff in charge of the hiring process, the best people must be hired to do the duties and responsibilities. A good connection with the hiring managers will encourage them to conduct all your hiring procedures properly and swiftly, assuring the highest possible quality of hire.

5. In which ways do smart technologies help with recruitment?

1. Better pay structure
2. Both (c) and (d)
3. Reduced expenses
4. Leveled playing field for small and big firms

Answer: Option b

Explanation: Expenses can be minimized by utilizing smart sourcing technology and other tools, allowing small firms to compete in the hiring process. Smart sourcing technologies have leveled the playing field a lot, allowing small enterprises to compete on an equal footing. 

Related Concepts

• Talent management
• Human resource outsourcing
• Talent advisory training