4 End of Year Recruiting Tips
The holiday season is upon us and recruiters across the country are preparing for the inevitable slowdown that the trucking industry sees each year. Rather than accept that 2021 is over, there is still time to improve your process and set your team up for success in preparation for the mad dash that happens after the first of the year.
Whether you are a seasoned recruiter or your fleet is just starting out, process improvement should be a high priority this time of the year. The lull that happens from November to January is a great chance to look at the data, determine what worked and where you can improve, and take decisive action.
4 Actionable Items for Any Fleet
While recruiting does slow down, it doesn’t completely come to a screeching halt. Because of this, a complete overhaul of your process might not be in the cards. But there are a handful of small improvements that can offer big results once recruiting kicks back into overdrive. Here are the top four areas that we suggest you focus on through the end of year.
1. Update Your Website
When was the last time that you painted your front door? Regardless of if you are advertising to drivers on Facebook, Indeed, or a job board, they will inevitably look for additional information on your website. In simple terms, the easier you make it for the driver, the more likely they are to get deeper into the pipeline.
This could be something as simple as introducing a mobile-friendly driver application, like those provided by Tenstreet or DriverReach. Those that already have a mobile application might need to focus on SEO to help get in front of new audiences. In either case, the end goal is to simplify the entire process for the end user, the driver. The easier you can make it, the better.
2. Improve Your Automation
Is the slower time of the year a much needed reprieve for your recruiters? Automation could be a great way to take that relaxed atmosphere into 2022. Fleets that only have one recruiter should place this high on their priority list. Automation can be as simple as introducing drip campaigns to keep drivers engaged throughout the process.
Each piece of automation removes a little burden from your recruiters and creates a much better candidate experience. Many fleets struggle with drivers falling through the cracks simply because recruiters are buried with leads and cannot consistently create touchpoints.
3. Streamline Applicant Tracking
We get it, sometimes we sound like a broken record – but the proof is in the pudding! Fleets that have technology at their disposal recruit more efficiently. While that excel spreadsheet might have worked when you were only hiring one driver per month, having technology to help optimize your pipeline as your business grows could make the difference between an expanding fleet and empty trucks.
If you are in the market for an applicant tracking system, ask yourself these questions:
- Are leads or full applications more important?
- What automation tools are built into the platform?
- What is the ramp up time?
- Can ____ platform help me address holes in my process?
These may just be the tip of the iceberg, but understanding how you would like to improve before scheduling a demo with potential technology partners will help you find the perfect fit.
4. Dive Into Data
There is no way around it, recruiting is a data-driven process. The better you are at understanding your data, the more informed you will be when it comes to making decisions. Most platforms provide a wealth of information; you simply need to devote time to review it, determine what has worked over the past year, and where you can improve.
Cost per hire is a great starting point, and can help you pivot away from platforms that are simply not producing. Sure you may have gotten a rockstar driver out of Indeed, but if you are paying three times more money, is the cost really worth it? That answer might be yes, or it could be no – it 100% depends upon the fleet.
Ready To Hit Reset On Your Recruiting?
No matter your situation, hitting the reset button is needed. Whether you are struggling to get quality leads through the door, or are looking for more personalized marketing solutions, the KJ Media team is here to help. We know that there isn’t a single one-size-fits-all solution and our customized approach reflects that. Let our team show you a different way to market to drivers. Connect with our team to learn more about our services.
