Best hiring practices: Why flexibility matters when hiring

You’ve written a meticulous job description and have begun the hiring process. Your spirits are high as you start your search for the perfect candidate who checks all your boxes. Education? Check. Specific industry background? Check. Preferred years of experience? Check, check, check.  

However, the reality of hiring is not so simple. In fact, our Talent Trends report revealed that 34% of U.S. organizations found it difficult to hire in the last twelve months.  

While you may be tempted to wait for your ideal candidate to come along, leaving your team understaffed can harm your business in the long run. The solution? Flexibility.  

If you're taking note of the best hiring practices, here’s why flexibility should make the list and how to put it into action.

Benefits of a flexible hiring process

Fill your open roles sooner

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to keep an open mind when hiring is expediting the candidate search. An understaffed team is most often an overworked team, leading to burnout. According to NBC, nearly half of understaffed workers described their company’s morale as poor.  

Flexible hiring broadens your talent pool, allowing you to find a suitable employee sooner. This also eases your current employees’ workload, leading to wins across the board.

Shows you invest in your employees

In a perfect world, your dream candidate would appear the second you need them. 

When that doesn't happen, consider hiring a promising, eager-to-learn applicant (especially for entry-level roles) who will benefit from additional training. Doing so shows your dedication to your employees’ growth. Offer professional development opportunities to close any skill gaps.

Builds a team of diverse backgrounds

One of the main reasons employers are reluctant to part from their expectations of applicants is an unwillingness to sacrifice their desired skill set. In fact, out of organizations that found it difficult to hire in the last twelve months, 37% of those cited finding candidates with the right skills as the top challenge.

However, hiring employees from non-traditional backgrounds can lead to a more well-rounded team. They bring fresh strengths and perspectives to the table, enhancing your team’s creativity and productivity.  

Tips for employers to stay flexible in the hiring process

Look for only essential qualifications

While you might think it’s wise to advertise your lengthy wish list on job sites, doing so could discourage qualified job seekers from applying. For example, women tend to avoid applying for jobs unless they meet 100% of the requirements.

It’s worthwhile to focus on only assessing whether candidates meet the most essential qualifications. Remember, many skills are teachable! High-potential job candidates who share your vision will be eager to learn.  

Prepare for and be open to salary negotiations

Strong talent knows their worth—our data reflects this. Our recent survey revealed over 60% of job seekers say they feel comfortable negotiating salaries with potential employers.

As you go through the interview process, be prepared to discuss salary expectations. Remaining flexible and open to negotiations can lead to enhanced communication. Use this as an opportunity to build rapport with potential employees.  

Download our salary guide for compensation benchmarking in your industry

Treat interviews as conversations (within reason)

A mistake employers make is believing they always have the upper hand in the hiring process. Remember interviews are a two-way street—candidates are assessing you and your organization as much as you are them.

One way to remain flexible during interviews is to ask more open-ended questions along with your standard ones. Encouraging free-flowing communication will lead to more engaging conversations. You may also notice candidates share more of their personality or pertinent information not included in their resume.  

Partner with a recruitment agency

At the end of the day, you need to fill your open roles. If you need help navigating the recruiting process, we can help!  

Our specialized recruitment consultants are experts in their industry, equipped with updated knowledge of your market. Plus, you’ll get exclusive access to our vast network of top talent. Get in touch to start a conversation about your hiring needs.