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How Recruiting Automation is changing the talent game

Hiring has always been a challenge, but in today’s competitive market, it feels tougher than ever. The best candidates often juggle multiple offers, and companies that move too slowly lose out. On top of that, recruiters spend hours on repetitive work — scanning resumes, coordinating interviews, chasing paperwork.
Author
Medha Bisht
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November 18, 2025
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3 min read

Why recruiting automation matters today

Hiring has always been a challenge, but in today’s competitive market, it feels tougher than ever. The best candidates often juggle multiple offers, and companies that move too slowly lose out. On top of that, recruiters spend hours on repetitive work — scanning resumes, coordinating interviews, chasing paperwork.

This is where recruiting automation steps in. What was once considered a niche HR tool has now become a business essential. Done right, automation doesn’t replace human recruiters. Instead, it makes them more effective by freeing them from manual tasks so they can focus on building relationships and making smarter hiring decisions.

What recruiting automation really means

At its core, recruiting automation uses technology to handle tasks that recruiters traditionally did by hand. Think of activities like sourcing candidates, screening resumes, scheduling interviews, sending reminders, or even creating onboarding documents.

This idea is part of a bigger trend called hyperautomation, where multiple technologies like AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation come together to streamline entire workflows. In recruiting, it means integrating tools so that everything from finding talent to managing employee records connects smoothly. The real power lies in building an end-to-end system where data flows seamlessly across HR and business platforms. This way, hiring isn’t just a standalone process but part of the organization’s larger growth strategy.

How AI recruiting automation delivers results

The business case for AI recruiting automation isn’t just about saving effort — it’s about measurable returns.

Cutting time-to-hire

Speed is critical. The average time-to-hire in 2025 is 36 days, which leaves plenty of room for improvement. Companies like United HR Solutions showed how AI platforms reduced time-to-hire by 45% and time-to-fill by 47%. In many cases, automation slashes hiring time by 30–50%.

When candidates receive faster responses and quick offers, companies avoid losing them to competitors. This also reduces the cost of vacant positions and boosts candidate satisfaction.

Reducing cost-per-hire

Hiring is expensive. Globally, the average cost per hire is around $4,683 when factoring in ads, recruiter hours, and agency fees. Manual scheduling alone can eat up five hours per candidate.

Automation cuts these costs significantly. Studies show administrative overhead can drop by up to 80%. Some reports estimate that AI recruiters can save as much as $16,000 per hire, thanks to faster shortlisting and reduced manual screening.

Another advantage: while manual costs rise with the number of hires, automated systems stay stable, making them ideal for fast-growing companies.

Improving candidate quality

Automation also raises the bar on candidate quality. AI tools focus on skills and experience, reducing unconscious bias and creating a fairer process. Resume-screening accuracy can reach 85–95%, far higher than manual reviews.

Case studies show a 40% boost in candidate quality scores and a 36% rise in sourcing quality after automation. Hiring better-fit employees lowers turnover, saving money and building stronger teams.

Enhancing candidate experience

Today’s candidates expect fast, transparent communication. Automation ensures they get it. Chatbots answer questions 24/7, automated emails provide updates, and scheduling tools let candidates book interviews at their convenience.

Companies using these tools report a 49% drop in candidate drop-off and a 44% increase in satisfaction. For example, the American Heart Association doubled its sourcing activity and boosted recruiter engagement by 50% after cutting administrative work with automation.

Smarter tools: the HackerEarth example

Automation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some platforms are designed for specific industries. HackerEarth, for instance, specializes in tech hiring.

Best practices for recruiting automation

Adopting recruiting automation requires more than just buying software. Success depends on strategy and people.

Choosing the right platform

Pick tools that are scalable, easy to use, and able to integrate with your HR stack. 

Building seamless integrations

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) often serves as the hub. The best setups integrate with CRMs, payroll, and learning platforms. Tools like Zapier help connect different apps into a unified workflow.

Managing change and training teams

Resistance is common. Recruiters may worry about losing relevance or struggling with new tools. The solution is open communication and involvement. Bringing teams into the process early can increase adoption success rates. Hands-on training and continuous learning opportunities ease fears and ensure recruiters can fully use the new system.

The future of recruiting automation

The new Role of recruiters

Contrary to fears, AI will not replace recruiters. Instead, it will reshape their role. The best outcomes will come from a human-AI hybrid model. Recruiters will be able to focus more on relationship-building, candidate engagement, and employer branding, while automation provides efficiency and insights. Those who embrace this partnership will be the most successful in the talent market of the future.

Conclusion: The smarter way forward

Recruiting automation is no longer optional. It speeds up hiring, cuts costs, improves candidate quality, and enhances the overall experience. It’s about creating a partnership where automation handles the repetitive work, and recruiters focus on what they do best: building connections and making smart, strategic choices.

As competition for talent grows, the companies that thrive will be the ones that adopt automation thoughtfully and use it to empower their people. The message is clear: the future of hiring is human and automated — working together to create stronger, smarter organizations.

FAQs on recruiting automation

How does automation improve candidate experience?

By giving faster responses, consistent updates, and convenient scheduling. Chatbots answer questions anytime, and candidates can book interviews without delays. This respect for their time builds trust and strengthens employer branding.

Can automation replace human recruiters?

No. Automation is great for repetitive, high-volume tasks like screening or scheduling. But recruiters bring empathy, judgment, and cultural insight that machines can’t replicate. The future is about working together, not replacement.

How I used VibeCode Arena platform to build code using AI and learnt how to improve it

How a developer used VibeCoding to generate Image Carousal code using VibeCode Arena platform and used objective evaluations to improve the LLM generated code
Author
Vineet Khandelwal
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November 8, 2025
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3 min read

I Used AI to Build a "Simple Image Carousel" at VibeCodeArena. It Found 15+ Issues and Taught Me How to Fix Them.

My Learning Journey

I wanted to understand what separates working code from good code. So I used VibeCodeArena.ai to pick a problem statement where different LLMs produce code for the same prompt. Upon landing on the main page of VibeCodeArena, I could see different challenges. Since I was interested in an Image carousal application, I picked the challenge with the prompt "Make a simple image carousel that lets users click 'next' and 'previous' buttons to cycle through images."

Within seconds, I had code from multiple LLMs, including DeepSeek, Mistral, GPT, and Llama. Each code sample also had an objective evaluation score. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many solutions for the same problem. I picked gpt-oss-20b model from OpenAI. For this experiment, I wanted to focus on learning how to code better so either one of the LLMs could have worked. But VibeCodeArena can also be used to evaluate different LLMs to help make a decision about which model to use for what problem statement.

The model had produced a clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The code looked professional. I could see the preview of the code by clicking on the render icon. It worked perfectly in my browser. The carousel was smooth, and the images loaded beautifully.

But was it actually good code?

I had no idea. That's when I decided to look at the evaluation metrics

What I Thought Was "Good Code"

A working image carousel with:

  • Clean, semantic HTML
  • Smooth CSS transitions
  • Keyboard navigation support
  • ARIA labels for accessibility
  • Error handling for failed images

It looked like something a senior developer would write. But I had questions:

Was it secure? Was it optimized? Would it scale? Were there better ways to structure it?

Without objective evaluation, I had no answers. So, I proceeded to look at the detailed evaluation metrics for this code

What VibeCodeArena's Evaluation Showed

The platform's objective evaluation revealed issues I never would have spotted:

Security Vulnerabilities (The Scary Ones)

No Content Security Policy (CSP): My carousel was wide open to XSS attacks. Anyone could inject malicious scripts through the image URLs or manipulate the DOM. VibeCodeArena flagged this immediately and recommended implementing CSP headers.

Missing Input Validation: The platform pointed out that while the code handles image errors, it doesn't validate or sanitize the image sources. A malicious actor could potentially exploit this.

Hardcoded Configuration: Image URLs and settings were hardcoded directly in the code. The platform recommended using environment variables instead - a best practice I completely overlooked.

SQL Injection Vulnerability Patterns: Even though this carousel doesn't use a database, the platform flagged coding patterns that could lead to SQL injection in similar contexts. This kind of forward-thinking analysis helps prevent copy-paste security disasters.

Performance Problems (The Silent Killers)

DOM Structure Depth (15 levels): VibeCodeArena measured my DOM at 15 levels deep. I had no idea. This creates unnecessary rendering overhead that would get worse as the carousel scales.

Expensive DOM Queries: The JavaScript was repeatedly querying the DOM without caching results. Under load, this would create performance bottlenecks I'd never notice in local testing.

Missing Performance Optimizations: The platform provided a checklist of optimizations I didn't even know existed:

  • No DNS-prefetch hints for external image domains
  • Missing width/height attributes causing layout shift
  • No preload directives for critical resources
  • Missing CSS containment properties
  • No will-change property for animated elements

Each of these seems minor, but together they compound into a poor user experience.

Code Quality Issues (The Technical Debt)

High Nesting Depth (4 levels): My JavaScript had logic nested 4 levels deep. VibeCodeArena flagged this as a maintainability concern and suggested flattening the logic.

Overly Specific CSS Selectors (depth: 9): My CSS had selectors 9 levels deep, making it brittle and hard to refactor. I thought I was being thorough; I was actually creating maintenance nightmares.

Code Duplication (7.9%): The platform detected nearly 8% code duplication across files. That's technical debt accumulating from day one.

Moderate Maintainability Index (67.5): While not terrible, the platform showed there's significant room for improvement in code maintainability.

Missing Best Practices (The Professional Touches)

The platform also flagged missing elements that separate hobby projects from professional code:

  • No 'use strict' directive in JavaScript
  • Missing package.json for dependency management
  • No test files
  • Missing README documentation
  • No .gitignore or version control setup
  • Could use functional array methods for cleaner code
  • Missing CSS animations for enhanced UX

The "Aha" Moment

Here's what hit me: I had no framework for evaluating code quality beyond "does it work?"

The carousel functioned. It was accessible. It had error handling. But I couldn't tell you if it was secure, optimized, or maintainable.

VibeCodeArena gave me that framework. It didn't just point out problems, it taught me what production-ready code looks like.

My New Workflow: The Learning Loop

This is when I discovered the real power of the platform. Here's my process now:

Step 1: Generate Code Using VibeCodeArena

I start with a prompt and let the AI generate the initial solution. This gives me a working baseline.

Step 2: Analyze Across Several Metrics

I can get comprehensive analysis across:

  • Security vulnerabilities
  • Performance/Efficiency issues
  • Performance optimization opportunities
  • Code Quality improvements

This is where I learn. Each issue includes explanation of why it matters and how to fix it.

Step 3: Click "Challenge" and Improve

Here's the game-changer: I click the "Challenge" button and start fixing the issues based on the suggestions. This turns passive reading into active learning.

Do I implement CSP headers correctly? Does flattening the nested logic actually improve readability? What happens when I add dns-prefetch hints?

I can even use AI to help improve my code. For this action, I can use from a list of several available models that don't need to be the same one that generated the code. This helps me to explore which models are good at what kind of tasks.

For my experiment, I decided to work on two suggestions provided by VibeCodeArena by preloading critical CSS/JS resources with <link rel="preload"> for faster rendering in index.html and by adding explicit width and height attributes to images to prevent layout shift in index.html. The code editor gave me change summary before I submitted by code for evaluation.

Step 4: Submit for Evaluation

After making improvements, I submit my code for evaluation. Now I see:

  • What actually improved (and by how much)
  • What new issues I might have introduced
  • Where I still have room to grow

Step 5: Hey, I Can Beat AI

My changes helped improve the performance metric of this simple code from 82% to 83% - Yay! But this was just one small change. I now believe that by acting upon multiple suggestions, I can easily improve the quality of the code that I write versus just relying on prompts.

Each improvement can move me up the leaderboard. I'm not just learning in isolation—I'm seeing how my solutions compare to other developers and AI models.

So, this is the loop: Generate → Analyze → Challenge → Improve → Measure → Repeat.

Every iteration makes me better at both evaluating AI code and writing better prompts.

What This Means for Learning to Code with AI

This experience taught me three critical lessons:

1. Working ≠ Good Code

AI models are incredible at generating code that functions. But "it works" tells you nothing about security, performance, or maintainability.

The gap between "functional" and "production-ready" is where real learning happens. VibeCodeArena makes that gap visible and teachable.

2. Improvement Requires Measurement

I used to iterate on code blindly: "This seems better... I think?"

Now I know exactly what improved. When I flatten nested logic, I see the maintainability index go up. When I add CSP headers, I see security scores improve. When I optimize selectors, I see performance gains.

Measurement transforms vague improvement into concrete progress.

3. Competition Accelerates Learning

The leaderboard changed everything for me. I'm not just trying to write "good enough" code—I'm trying to climb past other developers and even beat the AI models.

This competitive element keeps me pushing to learn one more optimization, fix one more issue, implement one more best practice.

How the Platform Helps Me Become A Better Programmer

VibeCodeArena isn't just an evaluation tool—it's a structured learning environment. Here's what makes it effective:

Immediate Feedback: I see issues the moment I submit code, not weeks later in code review.

Contextual Education: Each issue comes with explanation and guidance. I learn why something matters, not just that it's wrong.

Iterative Improvement: The "Challenge" button transforms evaluation into action. I learn by doing, not just reading.

Measurable Progress: I can track my improvement over time—both in code quality scores and leaderboard position.

Comparative Learning: Seeing how my solutions stack up against others shows me what's possible and motivates me to reach higher.

What I've Learned So Far

Through this iterative process, I've gained practical knowledge I never would have developed just reading documentation:

  • How to implement Content Security Policy correctly
  • Why DOM depth matters for rendering performance
  • What CSS containment does and when to use it
  • How to structure code for better maintainability
  • Which performance optimizations actually make a difference

Each "Challenge" cycle teaches me something new. And because I'm measuring the impact, I know what actually works.

The Bottom Line

AI coding tools are incredible for generating starting points. But they don't produce high quality code and can't teach you what good code looks like or how to improve it.

VibeCodeArena bridges that gap by providing:

✓ Objective analysis that shows you what's actually wrong
✓ Educational feedback that explains why it matters
✓ A "Challenge" system that turns learning into action
✓ Measurable improvement tracking so you know what works
✓ Competitive motivation through leaderboards

My "simple image carousel" taught me an important lesson: The real skill isn't generating code with AI. It's knowing how to evaluate it, improve it, and learn from the process.

The future of AI-assisted development isn't just about prompting better. It's about developing the judgment to make AI-generated code production-ready. That requires structured learning, objective feedback, and iterative improvement. And that's exactly what VibeCodeArena delivers.

Here is a link to the code for the image carousal I used for my learning journey

#AIcoding #WebDevelopment #CodeQuality #VibeCoding #SoftwareEngineering #LearningToCode

Vibe Coding: Shaping the Future of Software

A New Era of Code Vibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change Discover how vibe coding is reshaping software development. Learn about its benefits, challenges, and what it means for developers in the AI era.
Author
Vishwastam Shukla
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November 8, 2025
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3 min read

A New Era of Code

Vibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change makes software more accessible to everyone. In the past, being able to produce functional code was a strong advantage for developers. Today, when code is produced quickly through AI, the true value lies in designing, refining, and optimizing systems. Our role now goes beyond writing code; we must also ensure that our systems remain efficient and reliable.

From Machine Language to Natural Language

I recall the early days when every line of code was written manually. We progressed from machine language to high-level programming, and now we are beginning to interact with our tools using natural language. This development does not only increase speed but also changes how we approach problem solving. Product managers can now create working demos in hours instead of weeks, and founders have a clearer way of pitching their ideas with functional prototypes. It is important for us to rethink our role as developers and focus on architecture and system design rather than simply on typing c

Vibe Coding Difference

The Promise and the Pitfalls

I have experienced both sides of vibe coding. In cases where the goal was to build a quick prototype or a simple internal tool, AI-generated code provided impressive results. Teams have been able to test new ideas and validate concepts much faster. However, when it comes to more complex systems that require careful planning and attention to detail, the output from AI can be problematic. I have seen situations where AI produces large volumes of code that become difficult to manage without significant human intervention.

AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot and AWS’s Q Developer have demonstrated significant productivity gains. For instance, at the National Australia Bank, it’s reported that half of the production code is generated by Q Developer, allowing developers to focus on higher-level problem-solving . Similarly, platforms like Lovable or Hostinger Horizons enable non-coders to build viable tech businesses using natural language prompts, contributing to a shift where AI-generated code reduces the need for large engineering teams. However, there are challenges. AI-generated code can sometimes be verbose or lack the architectural discipline required for complex systems. While AI can rapidly produce prototypes or simple utilities, building large-scale systems still necessitates experienced engineers to refine and optimize the code.​

The Economic Impact

The democratization of code generation is altering the economic landscape of software development. As AI tools become more prevalent, the value of average coding skills may diminish, potentially affecting salaries for entry-level positions. Conversely, developers who excel in system design, architecture, and optimization are likely to see increased demand and compensation.​
Seizing the Opportunity

Vibe coding is most beneficial in areas such as rapid prototyping and building simple applications or internal tools. It frees up valuable time that we can then invest in higher-level tasks such as system architecture, security, and user experience. When used in the right context, AI becomes a helpful partner that accelerates the development process without replacing the need for skilled engineers.

This is revolutionizing our craft, much like the shift from machine language to assembly to high-level languages did in the past. AI can churn out code at lightning speed, but remember, “Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.” Use AI for rapid prototyping, but it’s your expertise that transforms raw output into robust, scalable software. By honing our skills in design and architecture, we ensure our work remains impactful and enduring. Let’s continue to learn, adapt, and build software that stands the test of time.​

Ready to streamline your recruitment process? Get a free demo to explore cutting-edge solutions and resources for your hiring needs.

How Candidates Use Technology to Cheat in Online Technical Assessments

Discover common technologies used by candidates for cheating in online assessments. Explore effective prevention methods like proctoring, AI monitoring, and smart test formats.
Author
Nischal V Chadaga
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December 1, 2025
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3 min read

Impact of Online Assessments in Technical Hiring


In a digitally-native hiring landscape, online assessments have proven to be both a boon and a bane for recruiters and employers.

The ease and efficiency of virtual interviews, take home programming tests and remote coding challenges is transformative. Around 82% of companies use pre-employment assessments as reliable indicators of a candidate's skills and potential.

Online skill assessment tests have been proven to streamline technical hiring and enable recruiters to significantly reduce the time and cost to identify and hire top talent.

In the realm of online assessments, remote assessments have transformed the hiring landscape, boosting the speed and efficiency of screening and evaluating talent. On the flip side, candidates have learned how to use creative methods and AI tools to cheat in tests.

As it turns out, technology that makes hiring easier for recruiters and managers - is also their Achilles' heel.

Cheating in Online Assessments is a High Stakes Problem



With the proliferation of AI in recruitment, the conversation around cheating has come to the forefront, putting recruiters and hiring managers in a bit of a flux.



According to research, nearly 30 to 50 percent of candidates cheat in online assessments for entry level jobs. Even 10% of senior candidates have been reportedly caught cheating.

The problem becomes twofold - if finding the right talent can be a competitive advantage, the consequences of hiring the wrong one can be equally damaging and counter-productive.

As per Forbes, a wrong hire can cost a company around 30% of an employee's salary - not to mention, loss of precious productive hours and morale disruption.

The question that arises is - "Can organizations continue to leverage AI-driven tools for online assessments without compromising on the integrity of their hiring process? "

This article will discuss the common methods candidates use to outsmart online assessments. We will also dive deep into actionable steps that you can take to prevent cheating while delivering a positive candidate experience.

Common Cheating Tactics and How You Can Combat Them


  1. Using ChatGPT and other AI tools to write code

    Copy-pasting code using AI-based platforms and online code generators is one of common cheat codes in candidates' books. For tackling technical assessments, candidates conveniently use readily available tools like ChatGPT and GitHub. At the same time, some organizations complement their process with context-aware code security support to ensure AI-generated solutions follow secure development practices. Using these tools, candidates can easily generate solutions to solve common programming challenges such as:
    • Debugging code
    • Optimizing existing code
    • Writing problem-specific code from scratch
    Ways to prevent it
    • Enable full-screen mode
    • Disable copy-and-paste functionality
    • Restrict tab switching outside of code editors
    • Use AI to detect code that has been copied and pasted
  2. Enlist external help to complete the assessment


    Candidates often seek out someone else to take the assessment on their behalf. In many cases, they also use screen sharing and remote collaboration tools for real-time assistance.

    In extreme cases, some candidates might have an off-camera individual present in the same environment for help.

    Ways to prevent it
    • Verify a candidate using video authentication
    • Restrict test access from specific IP addresses
    • Use online proctoring by taking snapshots of the candidate periodically
    • Use a 360 degree environment scan to ensure no unauthorized individual is present
  3. Using multiple devices at the same time


    Candidates attempting to cheat often rely on secondary devices such as a computer, tablet, notebook or a mobile phone hidden from the line of sight of their webcam.

    By using multiple devices, candidates can look up information, search for solutions or simply augment their answers.

    Ways to prevent it
    • Track mouse exit count to detect irregularities
    • Detect when a new device or peripheral is connected
    • Use network monitoring and scanning to detect any smart devices in proximity
    • Conduct a virtual whiteboard interview to monitor movements and gestures
  4. Using remote desktop software and virtual machines


    Tech-savvy candidates go to great lengths to cheat. Using virtual machines, candidates can search for answers using a secondary OS while their primary OS is being monitored.

    Remote desktop software is another cheating technique which lets candidates give access to a third-person, allowing them to control their device.

    With remote desktops, candidates can screen share the test window and use external help.

    Ways to prevent it
    • Restrict access to virtual machines
    • AI-based proctoring for identifying malicious keystrokes
    • Use smart browsers to block candidates from using VMs

Future-proof Your Online Assessments With HackerEarth

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  • Built-in features to track, detect and flag cheating attempts
Boost your hiring efficiency and conduct reliable online assessments confidently with HackerEarth's revolutionary Smart Browser.

Talent Acquisition Strategies For Rehiring Former Employees

Discover effective talent acquisition strategies for rehiring former employees. Learn how to attract, evaluate, and retain top boomerang talent to strengthen your workforce.
Author
Nischal V Chadaga
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November 8, 2025
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3 min read
Former employees who return to work with the same organisation are essential assets. In talent acquisition, such employees are also termed as ‘Boomerang employees’. Former employees are valuable because they require the least training and onboarding because of their familiarity with the organization’s policies. Rehiring former employees by offering them more perks is a mark of a successful hiring process. This article will elaborate on the talent acquisition strategies for rehiring former employees, supported by a few real-life examples and best practices.

Why Should Organizations Consider Rehiring?

One of the best ways of ensuring quality hire with a low candidate turnover is to deploy employee retention programs like rehiring female professionals who wish to return to work after a career break. This gives former employees a chance to prove their expertise while ensuring them the organization’s faith in their skills and abilities. Besides, seeing former employees return to their old organizations encourages newly appointed employees to be more productive and contribute to the overall success of the organization they are working for. A few other benefits of rehiring old employees are listed below.

Reduced Hiring Costs

Hiring new talent incurs a few additional costs. For example, tasks such as sourcing resumes of potential candidates, reaching out to them, conducting interviews and screenings costs money to the HR department. Hiring former employees cuts down these costs and aids a seamless transition process for them.

Faster Onboarding

Since boomerang employees are well acquainted with the company’s onboarding process, they don’t have to undergo the entire exercise. A quick, one-day session informing them of any recent changes in the company’s work policies is sufficient to onboard them.

Retention of Knowledge

As a former employee, rehired executives have knowledge of the previous workflows and insights from working on former projects. This can be valuable in optimizing a current project. They bring immense knowledge and experience with them which can be instrumental in driving new projects to success.Starbucks is a prime example of a company that has successfully leveraged boomerang employees. Howard Schultz, the company's CEO, left in 2000 but returned in 2008 during a critical time for the firm. His leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the brand amid financial challenges.

Best Practices for Rehiring Former Employees

Implementing best practices is the safest way to go about any operation. Hiring former employees can be a daunting task especially if it involves someone who was fired previously. It is important to draft certain policies around rehiring former employees. Here are a few of them that can help you to get started.

1. Create a Clear Rehire Policy

While considering rehiring a former employee, it is essential to go through data indicating the reason why they had to leave in the first place. Any offer being offered must supersede their previous offer while marking clear boundaries to maintain work ethics. Offer a fair compensation that justifies their skills and abilities which can be major contributors to the success of the organization. A well-defined policy not only streamlines the rehiring process but also promotes fairness within the organization.

2. Conduct Thorough Exit Interviews

Exit interviews provide valuable insights into why employees leave and can help maintain relationships for potential future rehires. Key aspects to cover include:
  • Reasons for departure.
  • Conditions under which they might consider returning.
  • Feedback on organizational practices.
Keeping lines of communication open during these discussions can foster goodwill and encourage former employees to consider returning when the time is right.

3. Maintain Connections with Alumni

Creating and maintaining an alumni association must be an integral part of HR strategies. This exercise ensures that the HR department can find former employees in times of dire need and indicates to former employees how the organization is vested in their lives even after they have left them. This gesture fosters a feeling of goodwill and gratitude among former hires. Alumni networks and social media groups help former employees stay in touch with each other, thus improving their interpersonal communication.Research indicates that about 15% of rehired employees return because they maintained connections with their former employers.

4. Assess Current Needs Before Reaching Out

Before reaching out to former employees, assess all viable options and list out the reasons why rehiring is inevitable. Consider:
  • Changes in job responsibilities since their departure.
  • Skills or experiences gained by other team members during their absence.
It is essential to understand how the presence of a boomerang employee can be instrumental in solving professional crises before contacting them. It is also important to consider their present circumstances.

5. Initiate an Honest Conversation

When you get in touch with a former employee, it is important to understand their perspective on the job being offered. Make them feel heard and empathize with any difficult situations they may have had to face during their time in the organization. Understand why they would consider rejoining the company. These steps indicate that you truly care about them and fosters a certain level of trust between them and the organization which can motivate them to rejoin with a positive attitude.

6. Implement a Reboarding Program

When a former employee rejoins, HR departments must ensure a robust reboarding exercise is conducted to update them about any changes within the organization regarding the work policies and culture changes, training them about any new tools or systems that were deployed during their absence and allowing them time to reconnect with old team members or acquaint with new ones.

7. Make Them Feel Welcome

Creating a welcoming environment is essential for helping returning employees adjust smoothly. Consider:
  • Organizing team lunches or social events during their first week.
  • Assigning a mentor or buddy from their previous team to help them reacclimate.
  • Providing resources that facilitate learning about any organizational changes.
A positive onboarding experience reinforces their decision to return and fosters loyalty.

Real-Life Examples of Successful Rehiring

Several companies have successfully implemented these strategies:

IBM: The tech giant has embraced boomerang hiring by actively reaching out to former employees who possess critical skills in emerging technologies. IBM has found that these individuals often bring fresh perspectives that contribute significantly to innovation7.

Zappos: Known for its strong company culture, Zappos maintains an alumni network that keeps former employees engaged with the brand. This connection has led to numerous successful rehiring instances, enhancing both morale and productivity within teams6.

Conclusion

Rehiring former employees can provide organizations with unique advantages, including reduced costs, quicker onboarding, and retained knowledge. By implementing strategic practices—such as creating clear policies, maintaining connections, assessing current needs, and fostering welcoming environments—companies can effectively tap into this valuable talent pool.

As organizations continue navigating an ever-changing workforce landscape, embracing boomerang employees may be key to building resilient teams equipped for future challenges. By recognizing the potential benefits and following best practices outlined above, businesses can create a robust strategy for rehiring that enhances both employee satisfaction and organizational performance.
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The 'Great Resignation' In The Tech Industry - How To Prevent It

Are you worried about the great resignation in tech? This is a problem that is affecting businesses all over the world. But don’t worry, there are things that you can do to prevent it from happening in your organization. In this blog post, we will discuss the great employee resignation and look at some tips on how to avoid it.

First of all, let’s first understand what exactly is the Great Resignation –

The tech industry benefits from an abundance of fresh talent supply annually. However, more than 4 million people in the US alone quit their jobs in 2021- a record number, and this mass exodus isn’t unique to America. One survey found that 41% (or 11 out 15) global workers were considering their exit during 2021 according to Microsoft’s data – which means it could very well continue in 2022 as well. In another study, 39 out of 50 countries surveyed saw higher rates of employee resignations.

So what’s the reason for this Great Resignation?

Well, there isn’t any single particular factor but research shows that it is largely due to “workplace frustration“. This can have a lot of different sources and meanings, but in most cases, it mostly includes workplace culture and environment and being overworked. It could also be due to low compensation or because of negative relationships with co-workers and/or management. And let’s not forget about job dissatisfaction! LinkedIn published a study where they found out that 79% of millennials confessed to being unhappy at their jobs.

What do the statistics say?

A 2021 study by Bankrate showed that 52% of employers noticed a greater number of employee resignations within six months of joining. Moreover, 89% were concerned with how this would impact their business and 28% claimed that they had already lost some clients due to this problem.

When asked which generation is most likely to quit their jobs, more than half (55%) of the respondents said Generation Y or millennials. And if you thought that’s bad enough, more than one-third (35%) believe that employee retention will be even worse in 2022!

How the Great Resignation affected the tech industry

The Great Resignation significantly impacted the tech industry, reshaping how companies approach talent management and acquisition. Tech professionals, enjoying a market flush with opportunities, have become more selective about their employment choices. The reasons for this shift are multifaceted:

  • Seeking Better Work-Life Balance: Many tech professionals have started prioritizing roles that offer flexibility, remote work options, and a better balance between personal life and work.
  • Demand for Higher Compensation: With the tech industry booming, skilled professionals are aware of their market value and are seeking higher compensation and benefits.
  • Career Advancement Opportunities: Tech professionals are looking for roles that offer clear pathways for career advancement and skill development.
  • Cultural Fit and Values: There is an increasing emphasis on finding companies whose values align with their own, especially regarding innovation, diversity, and corporate responsibility.
  • Impact of Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many to reassess their career goals and seek jobs that provide more security and satisfaction.

This shift requires tech companies to reevaluate their talent acquisition strategies, focusing more on employee engagement, retention programs, and creating an attractive company culture to combat the high turnover rates.

Here is how you can avoid the Great Resignation at your company

The Great Resignation: Are You Worried?

Put an emphasis on employee well being

To combat the high rates of burnout-fueled employee resignations at your company, giving workers time off and expecting them to take it when they need it isn’t enough. Travel options remain limited so people may feel there’s no excuse for using their vacation days while others might believe that the work culture encourages always being present (despite new findings of how this can affect health).

Employees need the time to focus on their mental and emotional well-being. Many workers face a lack of fulfillment regardless of whether they are paid fairly or have tasks to perform. Organizations that provide employees with opportunities to be creative, build social connections at work, or do work on passion projects within the organization will see happier workers who are more committed.

Recommended read: 7 Employee Engagement Strategies For WFH Tech Teams

Hybrid and flexible work options

While many employees prefer being in the office, a lot of them work remotely as a result of personal commitments and circumstances. While remote working allows employees to be productive even when they’re not in the office, some people prefer interacting with their co-workers in person.

The past 16 months are proof that remote (or at least hybrid) working is the future! A recent survey shows 39% of the workers would consider quitting if employers weren’t flexible about remote positions. Among millennials (aged 18–34) this figure sits higher still at 49%. The trend towards virtual teams paired up nicely via technology means less time spent commuting each day which also helps improve company productivity overall.

Retaining talent in roles that can’t be performed from afar is becoming increasingly difficult. Some companies are looking for new amenities to offer their employees, hoping this will help create a sense of balance and preserve stability within the workplace.

The need has become so urgent because workers who spend all day commuting every week may find themselves with little free time when they arrive at home after work – unless there’s another meeting or conference call during what would traditionally qualify as “free” hours.

Recommended read: 4 Things The Pandemic Taught Us About Diverse Tech Teams

Reward loyalty

To attract the best workers, employers should offer competitive compensation packages. You have to pay people enough so they don’t think about money when deciding if working for your company is worth it. Try giving out one-time bonuses as well as student loan repayment assistance and work-from-home options. Employees love to feel appreciated by their bosses, so take the time to show appreciation via bonuses, promotions, or even just a simple email.

Focus on the big picture

While there are endless reasons why people choose to resign, lack of opportunities for growth or advancement is a major one. Make sure you regularly discuss career paths with employees and help them grow within your company. You also need to have a smooth and memorable onboarding process so the new hires feel like they’re part of something great from day one! No matter how many perks you offer, if they don’t feel welcome and a part of the team, your company will almost always have to deal with a high resignation rate.

Recommended read: 7 Ways To Reduce Burnout In Your Tech Teams

Provide opportunities for growth

Employers should create retention strategies to keep top talent around by pretending their best employees just handed in resignations and asking themselves what they could do that would change the person’s mind. Forward-thinking organizations have been doing interviews like this since last month—with each employee advising on where things can be improved or future opportunities offered up.

Care for your employees as well as their families

To retain their employees, employers should make provisions for the physical as well as mental well-being of the employees and their dependents. This can include but is not limited to, medical insurance, discounts on gym memberships, access to a network of mental health resources, maternity and paternity leaves, etc. They can also help parents of small children by providing child care assistance programs or paid time off (PTO).

Be sure to review your company’s policies

Hiring and onboarding processes can make or break your business. It is not only important to go over all of the policies and processes related to hiring and onboarding but also to follow through with them without exception.

You also need to create an environment where these talented individuals feel comfortable speaking up about issues in the workplace. Finally, once the employees are hired, employers need to ensure they have ongoing training programs so that employees can learn and upskill throughout their time at your company.

Recommended read: A Note On Our New Leave Policies

Analyze the blind spots within your system

Look at metrics such as compensation, time spent between promotions (i.e., number of years), location(s) of the company, function/size pay increases over one’s career path, etc. to identify problems that might be causing your employees to quit.

When trying new ideas or programs keep an open mind and remember that there will always come those within our organizations who aren’t happy no matter where they work!

Retain your top talent with HackerEarth

Here is how you can keep your top talent using HackerEarth:

Continuous assessments

  • Skill Evaluation: HackerEarth enables managers to continuously keep assessing employee skills and team members’ skill development. This helps employers address potential problem areas with the help of specific metrics.
  • Learning and Development: Keeping employees up to date with the latest technologies and trends is a must. HackerEarth’s learning and development assessment tool helps employers stay ahead of the curve and improve the overall productivity of their workforce.
  • Employee Engagement: Employee participation is key to overall organizational success. HackerEarth’s gamification tools help employers engage their talent with real-time feedback, on-the-go assessments as well as Hackathons – reducing overall employee resignations.
  • Competency Mapping: Competency mapping is the foundation for any successful organization. HackerEarth’s unique competency mapping tool helps employers in identifying, developing, and retaining talent by optimizing every hiring decision that gives great ROI.

HackerEarth is a platform that connects organizations with skilled developers and helps them participate in major hackathons. This is done by providing access to qualified talent without the need for any bandwidth or environmental drain, as well as hosting challenges specifically designed for a virtual space!

HackerEarth virtual hackathons:

When it comes to assessing employee skills by running a successful hackathon, there is no better place than HackerEarth. HackerEarth has the experience and knowledge needed for all phases of conducting these events at scale across different industries.

  • HackerEarth is the only curated hiring company that guarantees you’ll get all of your engagement needs without any bandwidth drain.
  • With the HackerEarth platform, you can manage your virtual hackathons or hiring challenges from anywhere in the world and even at scale.
  • Working with HackerEarth means working in one of the largest communities for qualified developers.

The great employee resignation in technology is a growing problem that has been affecting businesses all over the world. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent it from happening in your business. Follow the steps above to stop the Great Resignation from affecting your organization.

How Hackathons Can Help You Attract, Engage, Hire, And Train Top Talent

Ever since the pandemic hit, employers have had to fill positions without requiring candidates to go through an extensive in-person interview process. As a result, many companies have turned to virtual hiring programs as well as hackathons to reach their recruiting goals. A study found that 40% of companies use a hackathon hiring process as part of their recruitment strategies.

So what exactly is a hackathon and how to conduct one?

What is Hackathon?

Hackathons are events where computer programmers and other technology professionals come together to create new products or solve technological problems. They typically last for several hours and sometimes even go up to several days. Teams are often formed at hackathons, which are made up of people with different skill sets. At the end of the event, these teams present their product or solution to a panel of judges. Hackathon hiring processes are usually sponsored by companies that want to promote innovation within the tech world.

Types of Hackathons

The top 2 types of hackathons are external hackathons and internal hackathons:

  • External hackathons:

At an external hackathon hiring process, participants create their own projects. They might work on coding tools, websites, or mobile apps that can be used by other people in the tech world. Employers sponsor these events to find new hires and engage with potential recruits. They also offer a valuable learning experience for attendees or students who may be interested in pursuing a career in technology.

Recommended read – Virtual Hackathons: All You Need To Know

  • Internal hackathons:

These are internal or company-sponsored events that allow employees to engage in innovation and creativity. They can be used by companies to find new talent, foster teamwork among employees, and identify job applicants with the most potential.

Recommended read – Internal Hackathons: Drive Innovation And Increase Engagement In Tech Teams

Hackathons For Hiring Top Talent: What Do The Numbers Say?

Here’s a closer look at how these hackathons can benefit your organization.

External Hackathons

With hackathon recruiting, companies are replacing the intimidating interview setting with a competitive drill where candidates can show their skills. As recruiters get to observe them apply these abilities in real-time they are better placed at analyzing candidate competency and making informed hiring decisions. These projects can be used as portfolios to help participants build their brands and show off what they’ve accomplished. Participants could also use these products as a way to gain exposure or to see if it is feasible for them to turn the project into a business venture.

Recommended read – How To Run The Perfect Virtual Hackathon: Do’s And Dont’s

Its benefits include:

1. Build a diverse team from all around the world:

The hackathon hiring process creates a unique opportunity for people from all over the world to come together and work on a project. Participants who network with these people during hackathons might be able to add them as contacts when they return to the office, thus building company connections that would not have been possible otherwise.

2. Join hands with industry experts:

Industry experts and sponsors of the event actively participate as judges or mentors. This allows them to network with new people and gain access to the latest trends in the tech industry. Attendees make valuable contacts at hackathons which can be beneficial for your company even after the events are over.

3. Expand your developer community:

Companies use the hackathon hiring process to attract developers who might not otherwise come in contact with your brand. This offers a way for you to interact with the tech community and establish new relationships. It also allows you to identify potential candidates who might be looking for a job opportunity

4. Find the best talent for your business:

The hackathon hiring process offers a way to identify the best developer talent in the industry. It also helps you create a larger pool of qualified applicants for future roles. In addition to hiring developers, hackathons can help you identify other employees as well as interns who would be a good fit for your team.

Because hackathons are team-based events, it also allows you to see how candidates interact with their peers. You can assess how comfortable and confident they feel when working alongside others and whether they’re open to feedback and suggestions.

5. Boost corporate branding:

Hackathons offer a great opportunity to increase awareness about your brand and what you have to offer. Corporate hackathon ideas allow companies to showcase their product or service in a new way that is often more effective than advertising campaigns.

Recommended read – Building An Employer Brand: Everything You Need To Know

6. Crowdsource ideas:

Hackathons also offer a valuable way for companies to crowdsource ideas from people who matter the most. People from different departments and backgrounds can share their thoughts on improving daily operations, which allows your team to come up with solutions that would not have been possible otherwise.

Internal Hackathons

Most companies hold internal hackathons for team building. They can be a great way to get your employees excited about their work while allowing them to collaborate and build relationships with one another outside of the normal office environment. Internal hackathon ideas are perfect for tapping into the skills of the company’s workforce.

Participants could be tasked with creating an internal service or tool that solves a particular problem within the company, such as reducing costs or increasing efficiency. At the same time, learning and development programs are also offered at these events which can help employees develop new skills.

Recommended read – Hackathon Survival Guide: What You Need To Know Going Into A Hackathon

This is how it benefits your company:

1. Boosts morale:

Hackathons are a great way to get employees excited about their work again. It creates an environment that fosters teamwork and allows people to interact with each other in ways they normally wouldn’t be able to inside the office. It builds stronger connections between employees which can improve workplace satisfaction overall.

Hackathons can be a great way to build camaraderie among your team members. The shared experience of working on a project as a group allows employees to work together and accomplish tasks they never thought possible. Additionally, the opportunity to interact with other teams in friendly competition helps generate excitement and establish positive relationships.

2. Great team building activity:

Hackathons give employees a fun and rewarding opportunity to get out of their comfort zone. It encourages people to work together towards a common goal while building on each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Employees can also learn new skills that they will be able to use in the future.

3. Employees are pushed out of their comfort zone:

Hackathons encourage employees to work together and build on each other’s strengths. It pushes people out of their comfort zone and allows them the opportunity to try something different.
Hackathons offer a low-risk, cost-effective way for you to promote creativity within your team.

4. Gives employees a chance to enrich their portfolio and grow in their careers:

Hackathons allow employees to try something new and possibly even learn a new skill. It allows them to build on their existing skillset and creates a great addition to anyone’s resume.

5. Employee retention:

Hackathons offer a competitive environment that allows employees to work together and encourage each other. It provides a sense of accomplishment and fun while also giving them something to look forward to.

6. Teams can come up with new products – or even new businesses:

Hackathons are a great way for employees to come up with new ideas that can eventually become successful products or services. For example, Box Brownie, the easy-to-use tool for removing backgrounds from images or enhancing them with professional features; DanceBattle, an innovative app that helps you compete in dancing battles with others using the camera of your phone or laptop, and EchoLoco, the audio map with real-time cues that helps the visually impaired stay safe and move faster in urban areas or crowded places, are all results of internal hackathons.

Hackathons typically last for 24 to 48 hours and bring together large groups of people from the tech community. Competitors compete to build a product or solution that offers a specific benefit, such as improving medical care or connecting communities.

The hackathon hiring process allows companies to scout high potential candidates in the tech world, build relationships with top talent, and provide valuable learning opportunities for potential hires.

Conduct hackathons with HackerEarth

HackerEarth’s online hackathon platform gives companies the opportunity to host internal, corporate, or private hackathons from anywhere in the world.

Following are the benefits of hosting hackathons using HackerEarth:

  • It provides a curated experience for your company to get the engagement they need without any bandwidth drain.
  • The HackerEarth platform makes it easy to manage your hackathons or hiring challenges from anywhere in the world
  • HackerEarth provides a large community of qualified developers who are ready to work with you.
  • It lowers your operational costs by ensuring that you are able to meet your hiring goals at a fraction of the cost.
  • It helps you build a community of developers and engineers who can become your future employees.

Here are a few HackerEarth Statistics of 2021 alone:

  • HackerEarth’s hackathon platform has organized over 134 hackathons creating 6,000+ challenges that helped create 2,000+ prototypes
  • More than 60,000 developers registered as participants across the globe
  • Over 1,700 companies around the world use HackerEarth’s hiring platform to find their next rockstar developer recruitment.
  • 17,000+ tests were created that helped assess 14,00,000+ developers, reducing our clients’ time to hire by half

If you’re not already using hackathons, you may want to consider adding them to your recruiting toolkit. Hackathons can help you identify talented potential employees, engage and hire top performers, and even train new hires. Also, hackathons can be put together quickly and easily with the right tools, such as HackerEarth’s hackathon platform.

How Your Tech Stack Can Help You Hire Top Talent

The great resignation has been on the minds of many IT organizations and their business leaders ever since nearly 4 million people quit their jobs back in November 2021. Consequently, hiring talented tech talent has become a lot harder than before.

Will 2022 break away from this trend wonder recruiters across the globe. Instead of waiting for the tide to turn, why not step up your game—invest in a recruitment tech stack that turns heads and helps you attract the very best talent out there?

The right recruiting software mix will help you streamline your entire recruiting life cycle, create a strong brand recall, and have potential candidates be excited about working with your company! On that note, let’s look at what tech stacks are and how do you choose one that caters to all your needs.

What is a recruitment tech stack?

A tech stack is a collection of technologies that are used to create a product or service. A recruitment tech stack would consist of a set of automated tools and technologies for every step of the hiring process—right from sourcing to onboarding. Your tech stack should have strong built-in analytics, seamless integrations with other apps, and be mobile-friendly.

We are talking sourcing tools, applicant tracking systems, screening and assessment software, engagement tools, coding interview platforms, automated background checks, onboarding software, and so on.

However, your recruitment strategy might not require all of these tools. There is no silver bullet that works best for everyone. The modern recruiter is always trying out new technologies to see what combination of resources suits their ever-changing needs.

Having said that, to stay relevant in this post-pandemic world, you need to prepare your recruitment tech stacks for the new normal, which is mostly remote. Be equipped to conduct fully remote hiring drives and successfully hire candidates without ever meeting them.

Recommended read: Boolean Search Strings – 5 Essential Tips For Recruiters

How tech stacks matter in technical recruiting

There are multiple benefits to having technology be the frontrunner of your recruiting strategies. A tech-enabled recruitment experience goes a long way in attracting and retaining top tech talent.

  • Saves time and improves efficiency in the overall hiring process.
  • Keeps large volumes of candidate data organized and ensures nothing gets lost.
  • Creates a pleasant candidate experience.
  • Keeps your talent pool warm and nurtured.
  • Eliminates bias in hiring decisions.
  • Better communication between candidates and recruiters.

A carefully curated recruitment tech stack can slash your time-to-hire and cost-per-hire metrics by a significant amount. Let’s look at the most important elements of a tech stack next, to better your hiring processes.

Recommended read: 21 Tech Recruiting Tools To Scale Your Hiring

4 must-haves in your tech stack

All About Recruitment Tech Stacks

Here are some technologies to keep in mind when building your tech stack:

#1 Applicant tracking systems

The first thing you need to think about is an applicant tracking system. By investing in the right ATS you’ll be able to reduce your overall time to fill roles. You’ll also be able to create and nurture a pool of passive candidates that you can call upon in the future.

An ATS can go from simple (collating all the candidate information) to quite complex (with various approval levels and AI-enhanced searches). An ATS is also more secure than a spreadsheet or email.

A good ATS has features like:

  • job posting across multiple job boards and websites
  • automated screening of candidates’ resumes, which also lowers human bias and errors
  • database assistance where you can store all applicants’ information
  • view the status of each candidate throughout the interview process
  • send out assessment invites from the ATS itself to the selected candidates and prepare a performance report in real-time
  • initiate offer letters directly from the ATS, get them signed by the candidates, and save the documents digitally on the cloud

#2 Automated employee referral programs

Investing in an ATS has multiple benefits as seen above but the real advantage is you can set up a robust employee referral program with it. Studies show referral hires stay at a company for longer on average with 47% staying longer than 3 years.

Employee referral programs promote company culture and build better-engaged tech teams. Leverage existing data in your ATS to reach a wider audience.

Here’s how:

  • Implement auto-posting where you send job openings to your internal employees on an ongoing basis
  • Automatically use the data in your ATS to suggest the right people to your connections
  • Keep track of where the referred candidate is in the hiring cycle and send updates to the referrer
  • Link your ATS to your payroll system, so any referral bonus can go straight into your employee’s salary
  • Assess the success of your employee referral program and tweak accordingly—number of shares via email or social, number of referred candidates, number of successful hires, and the quality of those hires

#3 Chatbots for better candidate experience

Adding a chatbot to your careers site or investing in an ATS that comes with one takes your candidate experience to the next level. Chatbots can bring your website to life where candidates can strike up a conversation with the bot to clear any basic queries and frequently asked questions.

You can also leverage natural language processing and train your bots to pre-screen candidates, answer candidate queries, and schedule interviews. Some even offer candidates the ability to check the status of their applications.

This vastly decreases the burden on recruiters and frees up time for them to take on other important tasks.

#4 Screening and virtual assessment tools

Virtual assessment tools are how you can better hire candidates for jobs, reduce employee turnover, and improve the quality of hire at your organization. These coding tests are where you get to see if what the candidate mentioned in their resume pans out.

A live coding assessment tool helps you with an objective evaluation of each candidate, provides detailed reports, and instant feedback—all with minimal technical know-how!

HackerEarth Assessments offers plenty of useful features. Here’s how HackerEarth does it:

  • Provides a rich library of 13,000+ questions across 80+ programming skills to create highly accurate assessments
  • Enables you to create your own assessment for any role in under 5 minutes or based on job descriptions, with the option to devise custom questions
  • Gives you the choice of creating different types of questions like MCQs, subjective questions, or project-type questions that simulate on-the-job problems
  • Allows seamless integration with popular ATSs like LinkedIn Talent Hub, Lever, Workable, and more, which means you can sync all your candidate data with your ATS
  • Sends out invitations for candidates to take the assessment you created on our platform. You can also see at what stage each candidate is in throughout the hiring process, and avail performance reports, all from your ATS—without swapping between multiple apps
  • Provides deeper insights into a candidate’s capabilities with summarized, automated performance reports

The use of AI in recruitment continues to spread and it is expected that the modern recruiter is savvy with the latest recruiting technologies and strategies. In 2022, change the way you hire and build great tech teams—and the first step is to start with building your dream recruitment tech stack!

4 Things The Pandemic Taught Us About Diverse Tech Teams

Over the last decade, organizations from all over the world were slowly gaining momentum when it came to diversity and inclusion at the workplace. But studies show that ever since the pandemic hit, the importance of diversity and inclusion slowly took a backseat while organizations focused on more pressing issues at hand.Now that the world is slowly easing back into the pre-COVID life, what can you do, as an employer, to make sure your workforce is diverse and inclusive? Let’s take a look.

What the pandemic taught us about diversity

One way that companies are managing diverse teams is by having employees participate in virtual meetups. We can now see how computers have changed business and how virtual meetups help all members be heard, no matter their location or background.There is no denying that hybrid working is the future. When telecommuting became the new reality, managers who didn't think it was a natural extension of team collaboration were forced to reevaluate and change their approach.

Employers must also take into consideration the fact that some groups are more privileged than others. Organizations should make provisions for additional L&D programs and tech support for these less fortunate workers who might not have the same opportunities in their careers.One of the most important things that the pandemic taught us is the importance of a work-life balance. With the increase in remote and hybrid working, more and more employees found it difficult to disconnect from work and strike a clear distinction between work and home. Working in, and managing diverse teams can often be overwhelming for people without much experience of dealing with differences in personalities, approach, backgrounds, and working styles.The pandemic also taught us the importance of investing in technology that supports diverse and unbiased hiring. Online skills assessment software tools provide fair and objective information about candidates to help managers make better-informed decisions. Interactive tools can also be used to onboard new employees faster by objectively documenting their skill sets and past experiences.
Recommended Read: Remote Hiring And Onboarding Tips For Technical Roles

How to strive for diversity in the workplace during and after the pandemic

Diversity Hiring 101 for Building Diverse TeamsManaging inclusive and diverse teams across cultures can be challenging in times of crisis but with the right approaches and resources, employers can put together and maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce. Following are a few ways in which organizations can continue encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace:

1. Remove unintended bias during the hiring process

Hiring managers spend a lot of time and effort trying to find the right employee for their company. This is where employee skill assessment tools come into play: these are tools that hiring managers can use to help determine whether or not potential candidates would be good fits for the roles. Such software developer assessment tests measure variables such as creativity, analytic skills, and teamwork with many questions aimed at determining specific strengths and weaknesses in these areas.Thus, rather than having a biased opinion about an employee due to his/her background, hiring managers can directly assess the skills of the candidate as per their needs.
Recommended read: 7 Steps To Eliminate Unintended Bias In A Hybrid Workplace

2. Invest in technology that supports a hybrid work environment

The role of technology in the workplace is constantly evolving. Telecommuting is rapidly becoming a standard option, with employee work-from-home days being an integral part of employee perks. This brings up great opportunities for companies to attract top talent by offering flexible work options, but can also create new consequences regarding employee productivity, company culture, and company images.Today's workforce must be equipped with the right tools that will allow them to thrive in their roles as remote employees.

3. Focus on the overall wellness of employees

Employees want to be valued for more than their professional lives, yet companies don’t always give them the opportunity to succeed in other areas outside of work. Today's workforce wants options that allow them to balance being productive at work with being physically and mentally fit. Companies can provide employees with flex schedules, exercise facilities, employee assistance programs (EAPs), employee education funds for mental health seminars, employee skills assessment tools to upskill, etc.With this increase in employee loyalty and productivity will come an increase in company reputation and customer satisfaction.

4. Conduct learning and development programs for continued learning

Learning and development programs allow employees time to hone their skills or learn new ones related to their current job role or even find novel ways to use existing skills in new ways. By providing continued learning for employees, companies are not only increasing employee satisfaction but also employee competence which benefits employee retention rates.Employee education is becoming more accessible than ever before, thanks to modern-day software tools like HackerEarth. With HackerEarth, you can continuously assess developers across 41+ programming languages and 80+ skills. Being the most advanced assessment platform out there to accurately analyze their progress, you get accurate reports on each candidate with highly detailed analysis!

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are still struggling to provide employees with the support they need. This is particularly true while managing diverse teams of groups of workers, who have had a hard time both at work and outside of it. With the above methods, companies can move one step closer to creating a truly diverse and inclusive workplace.

3 Things To Know About Remote Proctoring

Before we get into how to make your proctoring experience fool-proof and hassle-free, let us take a look at what remote proctoring is. Remote proctoring is a way in which candidates can appear for tests remotely, from any location of their choosing, instead of arriving at a traditional test center.

Instead of an in-person invigilator as in traditional tests, a person or remote interview software proctors the test virtually from another location.

Employees for the remote online proctored exams are trained to monitor students/candidates virtually, watching them work from their homes or other locations. The exams are monitored through video and audio surveillance. When done properly, online remote proctoring creates controlled and safe conditions to take examinations, while providing candidates and employers with more flexibility, and the ability to assess several candidates at once.

What is Remote Proctoring?

Remote proctoring is a method of overseeing exams conducted online to prevent cheating and ensure academic integrity. It uses technology such as webcams, microphones, and screen monitoring software to observe and record test-takers during their assessments. Proctors can monitor live or review recordings to identify any suspicious behavior. This method allows institutions to conduct secure exams for remote students, offering flexibility without compromising exam security. Remote proctoring systems can also employ advanced features like AI to detect unusual activities, making the process more efficient and reliable. This solution is particularly useful for online education and certification programs.

How Does Remote Proctoring Work?

Remote proctoring, a cutting-edge digital solution, brings the rigorous oversight of traditional exam settings into the digital realm. Here’s a basic breakdown of how it operates:

Initial setup: Candidates must typically download specific software or access a secured platform.

Identity verification: Before starting the test, candidates may be asked to show a government-issued ID to the camera, answer security questions, or even give a biometric sample (like a fingerprint or facial scan).

Environment scan: Using their webcam, candidates might be instructed to pan around their room to ensure no unauthorized materials are present.

Continuous monitoring: Throughout the assessment, software or live proctors monitor candidates using their webcam and microphone. Any suspicious activity, like looking away frequently or talking, can be flagged.

Review and reporting: Once completed, any anomalies or suspicious events are compiled and reported for review.

Types of Remote Proctoring

Online remote proctoring can be of 3 types:

  1. Live:
    Live remote proctoring is a form of proctoring in which a qualified person monitors the candidate as they take an exam through live audio and video feeds. These proctors are trained to ensure authenticity, looking for any red flags such as suspicious eyes or facial movements.
  2. Recorded:
    As the name suggests, with recorded proctoring, the candidate is recorded while taking the test and the recordings are then played back to look for suspicious behavior. This form of proctoring has an advantage in that there’s no need to schedule appointments since the tests can be taken anytime as convenient for the candidate.
  3. Automated:
    This form of proctoring is the most advanced and requires no manual intervention whatsoever. With the help of AI, the remote proctoring software will detect any unusual movements or malpractices during the exam.

Some drawbacks and challenges of remote proctoring are –

  • Complex technology requirements and stable internet connection might not be possible for test-takers in remote areas
  • Heightened student anxiety especially in those who are not comfortable with technology and prefer traditional test-taking methods
  • Scheduling and booking restrictions

3 Things To Know About Proctoring Remotely

Remote Proctoring

1. The online proctoring market is projected to reach US$ 1,187.57 million by 2027

As remote hiring grows, proctoring has a vital role in ensuring the credibility and authenticity of the tech assessment process. The remote proctoring market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The increasing demand for remote hiring platforms since the pandemic has skyrocketed its market share – the Global Online Proctoring Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.4% over the next few years. The market is estimated to be worth around $1200 million by 2027.

2. The USA has the largest sales region for Online Exam Proctoring in the world

Today, the USA has the largest sales region of remote proctoring in the world. While remote proctoring has been used for years in other countries to enhance security and prevent cheating in tests, its popularity has increased throughout the United States since the 2000s.

The United States is the key developer of online exam proctoring platforms. In 2019, the US market size was valued at $114 million USD and it’s expected to reach almost $323 million by 2025!

3. AI has transformed the online proctoring market

The future of online proctoring is AI-powered. By harnessing the power of AI, you can ensure exam integrity and security by leveraging machine learning technologies. This is because artificial intelligence solutions are most suitable for addressing identity concerns as well as privacy issues in an efficient and secure way without compromising anyone’s rights or freedom. Here is how AI proctoring works-

  1. API-based facial recognition can verify the candidate’s identity and prevent any misconduct
  2. The audio facility allows the software to record all sound throughout the exam, including talking and background noise
  3. Eye movement detection is also used as a security measure in AI-powered proctoring software
  4. The facial detection capabilities ensure that there is no case of candidate switching during the course of the exam

Future of Remote Proctoring

As digital transformation continues to reshape education and hiring, remote proctoring stands at an interesting juncture. In the future, we might see virtual reality or augmented reality environments for more interactive and immersive test settings. As AI evolves, the accuracy of anomaly detection will likely improve, making automated proctoring even more reliable.

We can anticipate more features that cater to candidates with disabilities, ensuring that proctored assessments are inclusive. As more institutions and companies adopt remote proctoring, we might see the emergence of global standards and best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is remote proctoring secure?

Yes, when implemented with trusted platforms and adhering to data protection standards, it’s a secure method to oversee exams.

Can remote proctoring detect cheating?

While it significantly reduces the chances of cheating through monitoring and environment scanning, no system can claim 100% cheat-proof status.

Do candidates need special equipment?

Typically, a computer with a webcam and microphone, a stable internet connection, and sometimes, specific software are required.

How are privacy concerns addressed?

Reputable proctoring services comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that personal data is collected with consent, stored securely, and used only for the intended purpose.

Make your online assessments cheat-proof with HackerEarth

HackerEarth’s remote assessments platform has built-in proctoring features that ensure exam integrity without compromising privacy and security. Here is how HackerEarth does it:

  1. Random webcam snapshots:
    Randomized webcam snapshots are a great way to catch any type of malpractice attempt, like peering into another screen or verbal communication with someone in the room.
  2. Custom timers :
    Timers are a great way to keep the candidates focused and discourage them from wasting time or cheating.
  3. Plagiarism Checker:
    Our system automatically investigates each candidate’s code against all other applicant submissions for the same test and can track unusual similarities. You don’t need any human intervention – just sit back while this advanced software does its job and looks out for any plagiarized content that has been flagged.

Important add ons:

  • To protect against cheating, you can limit access to certain IP addresses
  • The Copy and Paste feature in the code editor can be disabled
  • Upon leaving the test environment, the candidate will be automatically logged out
  • Negative marking could be used during the MCQ questions
  • Candidates can be restricted to full-screen mode for the entire assessment
  • Built-in mobile phone detection plus automatic impersonation detection to ensure authenticity

Recommended read: What Recruiters Forecast For Tech Hiring In 2022

If you are looking for a more convenient and secure testing experience, remote proctoring may be the right choice for you. While remote proctoring may have some hiccups in its early days, it is now a viable and secure option for test-takers. With the right technology such as HackerEarth in place, remote proctoring can be the future of online testing.

What Recruiters Forecast For Tech Hiring

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a record-breaking 2.9% of the workforce quit their jobs in August 2021 to seek better opportunities. Many are demanding increased flexibility in their employment search—from remote and hybrid options to more work-life balance—as companies are desperate to fill roles.

HackerEarth’s 2021 State of Developer Recruitment Report is based on survey data from around 2,500 engineering managers and HR professionals from 79 countries; across industries including technology, pharmaceutical, retail, automobile, construction, banking, media, finance, and insurance. The report aims to outline the best practices for hiring professionals and developer candidates and determine what the post-pandemic hiring landscape looks like.

Here are some of the important tech hiring trends we forecast for 2022 based on our survey:

  • Doing away with the ‘generalist’ approach to hiring
Before the pandemic, we would hear a lot of recruiters talk about the ‘black hole’ in tech hiring. While the final veto on hiring a candidate lay with the CTOs and engineering managers, the lack of a proper communication channel between recruiters and tech hiring managers meant that many companies took a ‘generalist’ approach to hiring.

In 2022, companies are coming back to hybrid work with a very specific agenda - make business future-proof, update legacy tech stacks for flexibility; and adopt trustless, permission-less systems that do not require central governance. The use of AI will deepen across sectors - even verticals that have not traditionally been AI-dependent will open up to the use of smart machines for improved functioning.
Our survey shows that companies need to update about 42% of their legacy tech stack to make businesses impervious to rapid technological and process changes such as the one we saw in 2020. Many companies are looking to make architectural changes in their tech stack which is also one of the reasons why hiring top talent is so crucial in the coming year.

It is therefore important to hire based on data insights. Recruiters should create a specific profile or candidate personas for each role. This should highlight the outcome expected from the role, the competencies required from the candidate, the assumed interests and needs for each specific role. These details can be used to create a competency framework that aligns with the ‘persona’. Only then, do you get down to the business of hiring.
  • Dealing with attrition
2021 brought us the ‘Great Resignation’. A Forbes from April last year piece shows how employee burnout increased from 43% in 2020 to over 52% in 2021. It’s safe to assume the number must have grown over time.
Burnout needs to be addressed promptly and before your teammates start to leave for companies that put more emphasis on their ‘wellbeing’. As this survey from Microsoft points out, high productivity should not be a reason to ignore the emotional and mental wellbeing of our employees. One of every 5 employees feels that their company does not prioritize their work-life balance and over 54% feel overworked. Giving employees the choice and flexibility to pick their own work hours, location, might help in stemming some of this tide. However, proper processes need to be put in place to ensure developers do not feel pressured to overachieve.
It’s also important to note that employees have voiced concerns about the lack of training among managers to handle the hybrid new work paradigm. Yes, we have talked ad hominem about empathy and being ‘flexible’, but changing from a work model which revolves around a specific time and place, to an ‘anywhere, anytime’ model needs more than that. Flexibility is undoubtedly the number 1 reason employees are leaving current jobs for the ones that offer them the choice to work remotely, and without the constraints of time.
  • Protecting diversity when hiring at scale
The upsurge of hiring demands in 2022, and the aftermath of the Great Resignation, has shown us that there’s far too much demand for the average qualified developer. The priority is hiring someone, over hiring that perfect diverse candidate. Diversity as a criterion might just be an added burden in the current recruiting process.Our year-end survey shows us that in an ideal world, over 30% of recruiters would never compromise on candidate quality to fill a role. Compare this with 35% of engineering managers who said they would make the compromise to hire faster. When it comes to diversity though, recruiters are slightly split between wanting to hire diverse candidates and filling roles early. An overwhelming number of engineering managers, though, care more about shipping code than building diverse teams.

Candidate quality statistics - State of Development Recruitment Report 2021 - HackerEarth

The spotlight is therefore on the HR leaders to uphold diversity mandates, and keep the focus on skills when hiring in such large numbers. Two years of statistics have proven that the pandemic disproportionately affects labor outcomes for minority groups. The focus areas for companies should include updating their brand research and outreach initiatives and integrate with grassroots communities. There is an imminent need to adapt policies, benefits, and messaging to the current market and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in talent attraction and retention.

Also Read: 7 Steps To Eliminate Bias In A Hybrid Workplace
  • Tech hiring tools will rule the roost
When the pen-and-paper assessment method went out the window in 2020, tech hiring tools replaced the traditional.
One can argue that a tech interview can be done over a Zoom call, and candidates can showcase their coding experience via their resumes. However, there are proven benefits to using dedicated hiring tools. In our survey, companies that use assessment tools for their tech hiring reported a more standardized process. The process is also more objective, and more accurate. Neither engineering managers nor recruiters seem to be paying much mind to the fact that technical skill assessment software can also reduce TTH and CTH; proving that in most cases they care more about the bigger picture than immediate gains.

The survey also highlights the pains of using multiple tools/platforms when conducting a tech interview. Most of the time, candidates use a video calling tool, along with a code editor to be able to showcase their skills live. This is in stark contrast to our findings from our annual Developer Survey , where over 40% of coders said that they would like to be interviewed via dedicated interview platforms.

Of late, recruiters have come to recognize the importance of candidate experience during interviews. Companies that have taken the initiative to integrate tech hiring tools in their processes see the benefits in a more homogeneous, and equitable hiring environment. Using coding interview tools also helps provide a better candidate experience for developers and ties in with their expectations from interviewers.

The takeaways

2022 might not have started exactly the way we hoped (hello Omicron!), but the insights we have gained over the last two years remain. The empathy and people-first approach we have used to navigate the pandemic so far needs to continue, and maybe even stepped up in some cases. Coming back to some sense of normalcy in the shape of hybrid work might be nice, but it needs to be done with patience and with keeping employee welfare at the forefront.Leadership teams need to address difficult topics like burnout, and work-life balance, when discussing retention strategies. They also need to ensure that DEI does not take a backseat when it comes to hiring.The gains - both big and small - accrued over the last two years should not be let go of in the face of the high numbers and targets that the tech recruiting community is faced with in 2022.
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AI In Recruitment: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has permeated virtually every industry, transforming operations and interactions. The tech recruitment sector is no exception, and AI’s influence shapes the hiring processes in revolutionary ways. From leveraging AI-powered chatbots for preliminary candidate screenings to deploying machine learning algorithms for efficient resume parsing, AI leaves an indelible mark on tech hiring practices.

Yet, amidst these promising advancements, we must acknowledge the other side of the coin: AI’s potential malpractices, including the likelihood of cheating on assessments, issues around data privacy, and the risk of bias against minority groups.

The dark side of AI in tech recruitment

Negative impact of AI

The introduction of AI in recruitment, while presenting significant opportunities, also brings with it certain drawbacks and vulnerabilities. Sophisticated technologies could enable candidates to cheat on assessments, misrepresent abilities and potential hiring mistakes. This could lead to hiring candidates with falsifying skills or qualifications, which can cause a series of negative effects like:

  • Reduced work quality: The work output might be sub-par if a candidate doesn’t genuinely possess the abilities they claimed to have.
  • Team disruptions: Other team members may have to pick up the slack, leading to resentment and decreased morale.
  • Rehiring costs: You might have to let go of such hires, resulting in additional costs for replacement.

Data privacy is another critical concern

Your company could be left exposed to significant risks if your AI recruiting software is not robust enough to protect sensitive employee information. The implications for an organization with insufficient data security could be severe such as:

  • Reputational damage: Breaches of sensitive employee data can damage your company’s reputation, making it harder to attract clients and talented employees in the future.
  • Legal consequences: Depending on the jurisdiction, you could face legal penalties, including hefty fines, for failing to protect sensitive data adequately.
  • Loss of trust: A data breach could undermine employee trust in your organization, leading to decreased morale and productivity.
  • Financial costs: Besides potential legal penalties, companies could also face direct financial losses from a data breach, including the costs of investigation, recovery, and measures to prevent future breaches.
  • Operational disruption: Depending on the extent of the breach, normal business operations could be disrupted, causing additional financial losses and damage to the organization’s reputation.

Let’s talk about the potential for bias in AI recruiting software

Perhaps the most critical issue of all is the potential for unconscious bias. The potential for bias in AI recruiting software stems from the fact that these systems learn from the data they are trained on. If the training data contains biases – for example, if it reflects a history of preferentially hiring individuals of a certain age, gender, or ethnicity – the AI system can learn and replicate these biases.

Even with unbiased data, if the AI’s algorithms are not designed to account for bias, they can inadvertently create it. For instance, a hiring algorithm that prioritizes candidates with more years of experience may inadvertently discriminate against younger candidates or those who have taken career breaks, such as for child-rearing or health reasons.

This replication and possible amplification of human prejudices can result in discriminatory hiring practices. If your organization’s AI-enabled hiring system is found to be biased, you could face legal action, fines, and penalties. Diversity is proven to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making. In contrast, bias in hiring can lead to a homogenous workforce, so its absence would likely result in a less innovative and less competitive organization.

Also read: What We Learnt From Target’s Diversity And Inclusion Strategy

When used correctly, AI in recruitment can take your hiring to the next level

How to use AI during hiring freeze

How do you evaluate the appropriateness of using AI in hiring for your organization? Here are some strategies for navigating the AI revolution in HR. These steps include building support for AI adoption, identifying HR functions that can be integrated with AI, avoiding potential pitfalls of AI use in HR, collaborating with IT leaders, and so on.

Despite certain challenges, AI can significantly enhance tech recruitment processes when used effectively. AI-based recruitment tools can automate many manual recruiting tasks, such as resume screening and interview scheduling, freeing up time for recruiters to focus on more complex tasks. Furthermore, AI can improve the candidate’s experience by providing quick responses and personalized communications. The outcome is a more efficient, candidate-friendly process, which could lead to higher-quality hires.

Let’s look at several transformational possibilities chatbots can bring to human capital management for candidates and hiring teams. This includes automation and simplifying various tasks across domains such as recruiting, onboarding, core HR, absence management, benefits, performance management, and employee self-service resulting in the following:

For recruiters:

  • Improved efficiency and productivity: Chatbots can handle routine tasks like responding to common inquiries or arranging interviews. Thereby, providing you with more time to concentrate on tasks of strategic importance.
  • Enhanced candidate experience: With their ability to provide immediate responses, chatbots can make the application process more engaging and user-friendly.
  • Data and insights: Chatbots can collect and analyze data from your interactions with candidates. And provide valuable insights into candidate preferences and behavior.
  • Improved compliance: By consistently following predefined rules and guidelines, chatbots can help ensure that hiring processes are fair and compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Cost saving: By automating routine tasks for recruiters, chatbots can help reduce the labor costs associated with hiring.

Also read: 5 Steps To Create A Remote-First Candidate Experience In Recruitment

How FaceCode Can Help Improve Your Candidate Experience | AI in recruitment

For candidates:

Additionally, candidates can leverage these AI-powered chatbots in a dialog flow manner to carry out various tasks. These tasks include the following:

  • Personalized greetings: By using a candidate’s name and other personal information, chatbots can create a friendly, personalized experience.
  • Job search: They can help candidates search for jobs based on specific criteria.
  • Create a candidate profile: These AI-powered chatbots can guide candidates through the process of creating a profile. Thus, making it easier for them to apply for jobs.
  • Upload resume: Chatbots can instruct candidates on uploading their resume, eliminating potential confusion.
  • Apply for a job: They can streamline the application process, making it easier and faster for candidates to apply for jobs.
  • Check application status: Chatbots can provide real-time updates on a candidate’s application status.
  • Schedule interviews: They can match candidate and interviewer availability to schedule interviews, simplifying the process.

For hiring managers:

These can also be utilized by your tech hiring teams for various purposes, such as:

  • Create requisition: Chatbots can guide hiring managers through the process of creating a job requisition.
  • Create offers: They can assist in generating job offers, ensuring all necessary information is included.
  • Access requisition and offers: Using chatbots can provide hiring managers with easy access to job requisitions and offers.
  • Check on onboarding tasks: Chatbots can help track onboarding tasks, ensuring nothing is missed.

Other AI recruiting technologies can also enhance the hiring process for candidates and hiring teams in the following ways:

For candidates:

  1. Tailor-made resumes and cover letters using generative AI: Generative AI can help candidates create custom resumes and cover letters, increasing their chances of standing out.
  2. Simplifying the application process: AI-powered recruiting tools can simplify the application process, allowing candidates to apply for jobs with just a few clicks.
  3. Provide similar job recommendations: AI can analyze candidates’ skills, experiences, and preferences to recommend similar jobs they might be interested in.

For recruiters:

  • Find the best candidate: AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of data to help you identify the candidates most likely to succeed in a given role.
  • Extract key skills from candidate job applications: Save a significant amount of time and effort by using AI-based recruiting software to quickly analyze job applications to identify key skills, thereby, speeding up the screening process.
  • Take feedback from rejected candidates & share similar job recommendations: AI can collect feedback from rejected candidates for you to improve future hiring processes and recommend other suitable roles to the candidate.

These enhancements not only streamline the hiring process but also improve the quality of hires, reduce hiring biases, and improve the experience for everyone involved. The use of AI in hiring can indeed take it to the next level.

Where is AI in recruitment headed?

AI can dramatically reshape the recruitment landscape with the following key advancements:

1. Blockchain-based background verification:

Blockchain technology, renowned for its secure, transparent, and immutable nature, can revolutionize background checks. This process which can take anywhere from between a day to several weeks today for a single recruiter to do can be completed within a few clicks resulting in:

  • Streamlined screening process: Blockchain can store, manage, and share candidates’ credentials and work histories. Thereby speeding up the verification and screening process. This approach eliminates the need for manual background checks. And leads to freeing up a good amount of time for you to focus on more important tasks.
  • Enhanced trust and transparency: With blockchain, candidates, and employers can trust the validity of the information shared due to the nature of the technology. The cryptographic protection of blockchain ensures the data is tamper-proof, and decentralization provides transparency.
  • Improved data accuracy and reliability: Since the blockchain ledger is immutable, it enhances the accuracy and reliability of the data stored. This can minimize the risks associated with false information on candidates’ resumes.
  • Faster onboarding: A swift and reliable verification process means candidates can be onboarded more quickly. Thereby, improving the candidate experience and reducing the time-to-hire.
  • Expanded talent pool: With blockchain, it’s easier and quicker to verify the credentials of candidates globally, thereby widening the potential talent pool.

2. Immersive experiences using virtual reality (VR):

VR can provide immersive experiences that enhance various aspects of the tech recruitment process:

  • Interactive job previews: VR can allow potential candidates to virtually “experience” a day i.e., life at your company. This provides a more accurate and engaging job preview than traditional job descriptions.
  • Virtual interviews and assessments: You can use VR to conduct virtual interviews or assessments. You can also evaluate candidates in a more interactive and immersive setting. This can be particularly useful for roles that require specific spatial or technical skills.
  • Virtual onboarding programs: New hires can take a virtual tour of the office, meet their colleagues, and get acquainted with their tasks, all before their first day. This can significantly enhance the onboarding experience and help new hires feel more prepared.
  • Immersive learning experiences: VR can provide realistic, immersive learning experiences for job-specific training or to enhance soft skills. These could be used during the recruitment process or for ongoing employee development.

Also read: 6 Strategies To Enhance Candidate Engagement In Tech Hiring (+ 3 Unique Examples)

AI + Recruiters: It’s all about the balance!

To summarize, AI in recruitment is a double-edged sword, carrying both promise and potential problems. The key lies in how recruiters use this technology, leveraging its benefits while vigilantly managing its risks. AI isn’t likely to replace recruiters or HR teams in the near future. Instead, you should leverage this tool to positively impact the entire hiring lifecycle.

With the right balance and careful management, AI can streamline hiring processes. It can create better candidate experiences, and ultimately lead to better recruitment decisions. Recruiters should continually experiment with and explore generative AI. To devise creative solutions, resulting in more successful hiring and the perfect fit for every open role.

Looking For A Mettl Alternative? Let’s Talk About HackerEarth

“Every hire is an investment for a company. A good hire will give you a higher ROI; if it is a bad hire, it will cost you a lot of time and money.”

Especially in tech hiring!

An effective tech recruitment process helps you attract the best talents, reduce hiring costs, and enhance company culture and reputation.

Businesses increasingly depend on technical knowledge to compete in today’s fast-paced, technologically driven world. Online platforms that provide technical recruiting solutions have popped up to assist companies in finding and employing top talent in response to this demand.

The two most well-known platforms in this field are HackerEarth and Mettl. To help businesses make wise choices for their technical employment requirements, we will compare these two platforms’ features, benefits, and limitations in this article.

This comparison of Mettl alternative, HackerEarth and Mettl itself, will offer helpful information to help you make the best decision, whether you’re a small company trying to expand your tech staff or a massive organization needing a simplified recruiting process.

HackerEarth

HackerEarth is based in San Francisco, USA, and offers enterprise software to aid companies with technical recruitment. Its services include remote video interviewing and technical skill assessments that are commonly used by organizations.

HackerEarth also provides a platform for developers to participate in coding challenges and hackathons. In addition, it provides tools for technical hiring such as coding tests, online interviews, and applicant management features. The hiring solutions provided by HackerEarth aid companies assess potential employees’ technical aptitude and select the best applicants for their specialized positions.

Mettl

Mettl, on the other hand, offers a range of assessment solutions for various industries, including IT, banking, healthcare, and retail. It provides online tests for coding, linguistic ability, and cognitive skills. The tests offered by Mettl assist employers find the best applicants for open positions and make data-driven recruiting choices. Additionally, Mettl provides solutions for personnel management and staff training and development.

Why should you go for HackerEarth over Mercer Mettl?

Here's why HackerEarth is a great Mettl Alternative!

Because HackerEarth makes technical recruiting easy and fast, you must consider HackerEarth for technical competence evaluations and remote video interviews. It goes above and beyond to provide you with a full range of functions and guarantee the effectiveness of the questions in the database. Moreover, it is user-friendly and offers fantastic testing opportunities.

The coding assessments by HackerEarth guarantee the lowest time consumption and maximum efficiency. It provides a question bank of more than 17,000 coding-related questions and automated test development so that you can choose test questions as per the job role.

As a tech recruiter, you may need a clear understanding of a candidate’s skills. With HackerEarth’s code replay capability and insight-rich reporting on a developer’s performance, you can hire the right resource for your company.

Additionally, HackerEarth provides a more in-depth examination of your recruiting process so you can continuously enhance your coding exams and develop a hiring procedure that leads the industry.

HackerEarth and Mercer Mettl are the two well-known online tech assessment platforms that provide tools for managing and performing online examinations. We will examine the major areas where HackerEarth outperforms Mettl, thereby proving to be a great alternative to Mettl, in this comparison.

Also read: What Makes HackerEarth The Tech Behind Great Tech Teams

HackerEarth Vs Mettl

Features and functionality

HackerEarth believes in upgrading itself and providing the most effortless navigation and solutions to recruiters and candidates.

HackerEarth provides various tools and capabilities to create and administer online tests, such as programming tests, multiple-choice questions, coding challenges, and more. The software also has remote proctoring, automatic evaluation, and plagiarism detection tools (like detecting the use of ChatGPT in coding assessments). On the other side, Mettl offers comparable functionality but has restricted capabilities for coding challenges and evaluations.

Test creation and administration

HackerEarth: It has a user-friendly interface that is simple to use and navigate. It makes it easy for recruiters to handle evaluations without zero technical know-how. The HackerEarth coding platform is also quite flexible and offers a variety of pre-built exams, including coding tests, aptitude tests, and domain-specific examinations. It has a rich library of 17,000+ questions across 900+ skills, which is fully accessible by the hiring team. Additionally, it allows you to create custom questions yourself or use the available question libraries.

Also read: How To Create An Automated Assessment With HackerEarth

Mettl: It can be challenging for a hiring manager to use Mettl efficiently since Mettl provides limited assessment and question libraries. Also, their team creates the test for them rather than giving access to hiring managers. This results in a higher turnaround time and reduces test customization possibilities since the request has to go back to the team, they have to make the changes, and so forth.

Reporting and analytics

HackerEarth: You may assess applicant performance and pinpoint areas for improvement with the help of HackerEarth’s full reporting and analytics tools. Its personalized dashboards, visualizations, and data exports simplify evaluating assessment results and real-time insights.

Most importantly, HackerEarth includes code quality scores in candidate performance reports, which lets you get a deeper insight into a candidate’s capabilities and make the correct hiring decision. Additionally, HackerEarth provides a health score index for each question in the library to help you add more accuracy to your assessments. The health score is based on parameters like degree of difficulty, choice of the programming language used, number of attempts over the past year, and so on.

Mettl: Mettl online assessment tool provides reporting and analytics. However, there may be only a few customization choices available. Also, Mettle does not provide code quality assurance which means hiring managers have to check the whole code manually. There is no option to leverage question-based analytics and Mettl does not include a health score index for its question library.

Adopting this platform may be challenging if you want highly customized reporting and analytics solutions.

Also read: HackerEarth Assessments + The Smart Browser: Formula For Bulletproof Tech Hiring

Security and data privacy

HackerEarth: The security and privacy of user data are top priorities at HackerEarth. The platform protects data in transit and at rest using industry-standard encryption. Additionally, all user data is kept in secure, constantly monitored data centers with stringent access controls.

Along with these security measures, HackerEarth also provides IP limitations, role-based access controls, and multi-factor authentication. These features ensure that all activity is recorded and audited and that only authorized users can access sensitive data.

HackerEarth complies with several data privacy laws, such as GDPR and CCPA. The protection of candidate data is ensured by this compliance, which also enables businesses to fulfill their legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Mettl: The security and data privacy features of Mettl might not be as strong as those of HackerEarth. The platform does not provide the same selection of security measures, such as IP limitations or multi-factor authentication. Although the business asserts that it complies with GDPR and other laws, it cannot offer the same amount of accountability and transparency as other platforms.

Even though both HackerEarth and Mettl include security and data privacy measures, the Mettle alternative, HackerEarth’s platform is made to be more thorough, open, and legal. By doing this, businesses can better guarantee candidate data’s security and ability to fulfill legal and regulatory requirements.

Pricing and support

HackerEarth: To meet the demands of businesses of all sizes, HackerEarth offers a variety of customizable pricing options. The platform provides yearly and multi-year contracts in addition to a pay-as-you-go basis. You can select the price plan that best suits their demands regarding employment and budget.

HackerEarth offers chat customer support around the clock. The platform also provides a thorough knowledge base and documentation to assist users in getting started and troubleshooting problems.

Mettl: The lack of price information on Mettl’s website might make it challenging for businesses to decide whether the platform fits their budget. The organization also does not have a pay-as-you-go option, which might be problematic.

Mettl offers phone and emails customer assistance. However, the business website lacks information on support availability or response times. This lack of transparency may be an issue if you need prompt and efficient help.

User experience

HackerEarth: The interface on HackerEarth is designed to be simple for both recruiters and job seekers. As a result of the platform’s numerous adjustable choices for test creation and administration, you may design exams specifically suited to a job role. Additionally, the platform provides a selection of question types and test templates, making it simple to build and take exams effectively.

In terms of the candidate experience, HackerEarth provides a user-friendly interface that makes navigating the testing procedure straightforward and intuitive for applicants. As a result of the platform’s real-time feedback and scoring, applicants may feel more motivated and engaged during the testing process. The platform also provides several customization choices, like branding and message, which may assist recruiters in giving prospects a more exciting and tailored experience.

Mettl: The platform is intended to have a steeper learning curve than others and be more technical. It makes it challenging to rapidly and effectively construct exams and can be difficult for applicants unfamiliar with the platform due to its complex interface.

Additionally, Mettl does not provide real-time feedback or scoring, which might deter applicants from participating and being motivated by the testing process.

Also read: 6 Strategies To Enhance Candidate Engagement In Tech Hiring (+ 3 Unique Examples)

User reviews and feedback

According to G2, HackerEarth and Mettl have 4.4 reviews out of 5. Users have also applauded HackerEarth’s customer service. Many agree that the staff members are friendly and quick to respond to any problems or queries. Overall, customer evaluations and feedback for HackerEarth point to the platform as simple to use. Both recruiters and applicants find it efficient.

Mettl has received mixed reviews from users, with some praising the platform for its features and functionality and others expressing frustration with its complex and technical interface.

Free ebook to help you choose between Mettl and Mettle alternative, HackerEarth

May the best “brand” win!

Recruiting and selecting the ideal candidate demands a significant investment of time, attention, and effort.

This is where tech recruiting platforms like HackerEarth and Mettl have got you covered. They help streamline the whole process.Both HackerEarth and Mettl provide a wide variety of advanced features and capabilities for tech hiring.

We think HackerEarth is the superior choice. Especially, when contrasting the two platforms in terms of their salient characteristics and functioning. But, we may be biased!

So don’t take our word for it. Sign up for a free trial and check out HackerEarth’s offerings for yourself!

HackerEarth Assessments + The Smart Browser: Formula For Bulletproof Tech Hiring

Let’s face it—cheating on tests is quite common. While technology has made a lot of things easier in tech recruiting, it has also left the field wide open to malpractice. A 2020 report by ICAI shows that 32% of undergraduate students have cheated in some form on an online test.

It’s human nature to want to bend the rules a little bit. Which begs the question, how do you stay on top of cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of malpractice during the assessment process?

How do you ensure that take-home assessments and remote interviews stay authentic and credible? By relying on enhanced virtual supervision, of course!

HackerEarth Assessments has always been one step ahead when it comes to remote proctoring which is able to capture the nuances of candidate plagiarism. The recent advancements in technology (think generative AI) needed more robust proctoring features, so we went ahead and built The HackerEarth Smart Browser to ensure our assessments remain as foolproof as ever.

Presenting to you, the latest HackerEarth proctoring fix - The Smart Browser

Our Smart Browser is the chocolatey version of a plain donut when compared to a regular web browser. It is extra effective and comes packed with additional remote proctoring capabilities to increase the quality of your screening assessments.

The chances of a candidate cheating on a HackerEarth technical assessment are virtually zero with the latest features! Spilling all our secrets to show you why -

1. Sealed-off testing environment makes proctoring simpler

Sealed-off testing environment makes proctoring simpler

To get started with using the Smart Browser, enable the Smart Browser setting as shown above. This setting is available under the test proctoring section on the test overview page.

As you can see, several other proctoring settings such as disabling copy-paste, restricting candidates to full-screen mode, and logout on leaving the test interface are selected automatically.Now, every candidate you invite to take the assessment will only be able to do so through the Smart Browser. Candidates are prompted to download the Smart Browser from the link shared in the test invite mail.When the candidate needs to click on the ‘start test’ button on the launch test screen, it opens in the Smart Browser. The browser also prompts the candidate to switch to full-screen mode. Now, all candidates need to do is sign in and attempt the test, as usual.
Also read: 6 Ways Candidates Try To Outsmart A Remote Proctored Assessment

2. Eagle-eyed online test monitoring leaves no room for error

Eagle-eyed online test monitoring with the smart browser leaves no room for errorOur AI-enabled Smart Browser takes frequent snapshots via the webcam, throughout the assessment. Consequently, it is impossible to copy-paste code or impersonate a candidate.The browser prevents the following candidate actions and facilitates thorough monitoring of the assessment:
  • Screensharing the test window
  • Keeping other applications open during the test
  • Resizing the test window
  • Taking screenshots of the test window
  • Recording the test window
  • Using malicious keystrokes
  • Viewing OS notifications
  • Running the test window within a virtual machine
  • Operating browser developer tools
Any candidate actions attempting to switch tabs with the intent to copy-paste or use a generative AI like ChatGPT are shown a warning and captured in the candidate report.HackerEarth’s latest proctoring fixes bulletproof our assessment platform, making it one of the most reliable and accurate sources of candidate hiring in the market today.
Also read: 4 Ways HackerEarth Flags The Use Of ChatGPT In Tech Hiring Assessments

Experience reliable assessments with the Smart Browser!

There you have it - our newest offering that preserves the integrity of coding assessments and enables skill-first hiring, all in one go. Recruiters and hiring managers, this is one feature that you can easily rely on and can be sure that every candidate’s test score is a result of their ability alone.Curious to try out the Smart Browser? Well, don’t take our word for it. Head over here to check it out for yourself!

We also love hearing from our customers so don’t hesitate to leave us any feedback you might have.

Until then, happy hiring!
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What is Headhunting In Recruitment?: Types &amp; How Does It Work?

In today’s fast-paced world, recruiting talent has become increasingly complicated. Technological advancements, high workforce expectations and a highly competitive market have pushed recruitment agencies to adopt innovative strategies for recruiting various types of talent. This article aims to explore one such recruitment strategy – headhunting.

What is Headhunting in recruitment?

In headhunting, companies or recruitment agencies identify, engage and hire highly skilled professionals to fill top positions in the respective companies. It is different from the traditional process in which candidates looking for job opportunities approach companies or recruitment agencies. In headhunting, executive headhunters, as recruiters are referred to, approach prospective candidates with the hiring company’s requirements and wait for them to respond. Executive headhunters generally look for passive candidates, those who work at crucial positions and are not on the lookout for new work opportunities. Besides, executive headhunters focus on filling critical, senior-level positions indispensable to companies. Depending on the nature of the operation, headhunting has three types. They are described later in this article. Before we move on to understand the types of headhunting, here is how the traditional recruitment process and headhunting are different.

How do headhunting and traditional recruitment differ from each other?

Headhunting is a type of recruitment process in which top-level managers and executives in similar positions are hired. Since these professionals are not on the lookout for jobs, headhunters have to thoroughly understand the hiring companies’ requirements and study the work profiles of potential candidates before creating a list.

In the traditional approach, there is a long list of candidates applying for jobs online and offline. Candidates approach recruiters for jobs. Apart from this primary difference, there are other factors that define the difference between these two schools of recruitment.

AspectHeadhuntingTraditional RecruitmentCandidate TypePrimarily passive candidateActive job seekersApproachFocused on specific high-level rolesBroader; includes various levelsScopeproactive outreachReactive: candidates applyCostGenerally more expensive due to expertise requiredTypically lower costsControlManaged by headhuntersManaged internally by HR teams

All the above parameters will help you to understand how headhunting differs from traditional recruitment methods, better.

Types of headhunting in recruitment

Direct headhunting: In direct recruitment, hiring teams reach out to potential candidates through personal communication. Companies conduct direct headhunting in-house, without outsourcing the process to hiring recruitment agencies. Very few businesses conduct this type of recruitment for top jobs as it involves extensive screening across networks outside the company’s expanse.

Indirect headhunting: This method involves recruiters getting in touch with their prospective candidates through indirect modes of communication such as email and phone calls. Indirect headhunting is less intrusive and allows candidates to respond at their convenience.Third-party recruitment: Companies approach external recruitment agencies or executive headhunters to recruit highly skilled professionals for top positions. This method often leverages the company’s extensive contact network and expertise in niche industries.

How does headhunting work?

Finding highly skilled professionals to fill critical positions can be tricky if there is no system for it. Expert executive headhunters employ recruitment software to conduct headhunting efficiently as it facilitates a seamless recruitment process for executive headhunters. Most software is AI-powered and expedites processes like candidate sourcing, interactions with prospective professionals and upkeep of communication history. This makes the process of executive search in recruitment a little bit easier. Apart from using software to recruit executives, here are the various stages of finding high-calibre executives through headhunting.

Identifying the role

Once there is a vacancy for a top job, one of the top executives like a CEO, director or the head of the company, reach out to the concerned personnel with their requirements. Depending on how large a company is, they may choose to headhunt with the help of an external recruiting agency or conduct it in-house. Generally, the task is assigned to external recruitment agencies specializing in headhunting. Executive headhunters possess a database of highly qualified professionals who work in crucial positions in some of the best companies. This makes them the top choice of conglomerates looking to hire some of the best talents in the industry.

Defining the job

Once an executive headhunter or a recruiting agency is finalized, companies conduct meetings to discuss the nature of the role, how the company works, the management hierarchy among other important aspects of the job. Headhunters are expected to understand these points thoroughly and establish a clear understanding of their expectations and goals.

Candidate identification and sourcing

Headhunters analyse and understand the requirements of their clients and begin creating a pool of suitable candidates from their database. The professionals are shortlisted after conducting extensive research of job profiles, number of years of industry experience, professional networks and online platforms.

Approaching candidates

Once the potential candidates have been identified and shortlisted, headhunters move on to get in touch with them discreetly through various communication channels. As such candidates are already working at top level positions at other companies, executive headhunters have to be low-key while doing so.

Assessment and Evaluation

In this next step, extensive screening and evaluation of candidates is conducted to determine their suitability for the advertised position.

Interviews and negotiations

Compensation is a major topic of discussion among recruiters and prospective candidates. A lot of deliberation and negotiation goes on between the hiring organization and the selected executives which is facilitated by the headhunters.

Finalizing the hire

Things come to a close once the suitable candidates accept the job offer. On accepting the offer letter, headhunters help finalize the hiring process to ensure a smooth transition.

The steps listed above form the blueprint for a typical headhunting process. Headhunting has been crucial in helping companies hire the right people for crucial positions that come with great responsibility. However, all systems have a set of challenges no matter how perfect their working algorithm is. Here are a few challenges that talent acquisition agencies face while headhunting.

Common challenges in headhunting

Despite its advantages, headhunting also presents certain challenges:

Cost Implications: Engaging headhunters can be more expensive than traditional recruitment methods due to their specialized skills and services.

Time-Consuming Process: While headhunting can be efficient, finding the right candidate for senior positions may still take time due to thorough evaluation processes.

Market Competition: The competition for top talent is fierce; organizations must present compelling offers to attract passive candidates away from their current roles.

Although the above mentioned factors can pose challenges in the headhunting process, there are more upsides than there are downsides to it. Here is how headhunting has helped revolutionize the recruitment of high-profile candidates.

Advantages of Headhunting

Headhunting offers several advantages over traditional recruitment methods:

Access to Passive Candidates: By targeting individuals who are not actively seeking new employment, organisations can access a broader pool of highly skilled professionals.

Confidentiality: The discreet nature of headhunting protects both candidates’ current employment situations and the hiring organisation’s strategic interests.

Customized Search: Headhunters tailor their search based on the specific needs of the organization, ensuring a better fit between candidates and company culture.

Industry Expertise: Many headhunters specialise in particular sectors, providing valuable insights into market dynamics and candidate qualifications.

Conclusion

Although headhunting can be costly and time-consuming, it is one of the most effective ways of finding good candidates for top jobs. Executive headhunters face several challenges maintaining the g discreetness while getting in touch with prospective clients. As organizations navigate increasingly competitive markets, understanding the nuances of headhunting becomes vital for effective recruitment strategies. To keep up with the technological advancements, it is better to optimise your hiring process by employing online recruitment software like HackerEarth, which enables companies to conduct multiple interviews and evaluation tests online, thus improving candidate experience. By collaborating with skilled headhunters who possess industry expertise and insights into market trends, companies can enhance their chances of securing high-caliber professionals who drive success in their respective fields.

A Comprehensive Guide to External Sources of Recruitment

The job industry is not the same as it was 30 years ago. Progresses in AI and automation have created a new work culture that demands highly skilled professionals who drive innovation and work efficiently. This has led to an increase in the number of companies reaching out to external sources of recruitment for hiring talent. Over the years, we have seen several job aggregators optimise their algorithms to suit the rising demand for talent in the market and new players entering the talent acquisition industry. This article will tell you all about how external sources of recruitment help companies scout some of the best candidates in the industry, the importance of external recruitment in organizations across the globe and how it can be leveraged to find talent effectively.

Understanding external sources of recruitment

External sources refer to recruitment agencies, online job portals, job fairs, professional associations and any other organizations that facilitate seamless recruitment. When companies employ external recruitment sources, they access a wider pool of talent which helps them find the right candidates much faster than hiring people in-house. They save both time and effort in the recruitment process.

Online job portals

Online resume aggregators like LinkedIn, Naukri, Indeed, Shine, etc. contain a large database of prospective candidates. With the advent of AI, online external sources of recruitment have optimised their algorithms to show the right jobs to the right candidates. Once companies figure out how to utilise job portals for recruitment, they can expedite their hiring process efficiently.

Social Media

Ours is a generation that thrives on social media. To boost my IG presence, I have explored various strategies, from getting paid Instagram users to optimizing post timing and engaging with my audience consistently. Platforms like FB an IG have been optimized to serve job seekers and recruiters alike. The algorithms of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have been optimised to serve job seekers and recruiters alike. Leveraging them to post well-placed ads for job listings is another way to implement external sources of recruitment strategies.

Employee Referrals

Referrals are another great external source of recruitment for hiring teams. Encouraging employees to refer their friends and acquaintances for vacancies enables companies to access highly skilled candidates faster.

Campus Recruitment

Hiring freshers from campus allows companies to train and harness new talent. Campus recruitment drives are a great external recruitment resource where hiring managers can expedite the hiring process by conducting screening processes in short periods.

Recruitment Agencies

Companies who are looking to fill specific positions with highly skilled and experienced candidates approach external recruitment agencies or executive headhunters to do so. These agencies are well-equipped to look for suitable candidates and they also undertake the task of identifying, screening and recruiting such people.

Job Fairs

This is a win-win situation for job seekers and hiring teams. Job fairs allow potential candidates to understand how specific companies work while allowing hiring managers to scout for potential candidates and proceed with the hiring process if possible.

Importance of External Recruitment

The role of recruitment agencies in talent acquisition is of paramount importance. They possess the necessary resources to help companies find the right candidates and facilitate a seamless hiring process through their internal system. Here is how external sources of recruitment benefit companies.

Diversity of Skill Sets

External recruitment resources are a great way for companies to hire candidates with diverse professional backgrounds. They possess industry-relevant skills which can be put to good use in this highly competitive market.

Fresh Perspectives

Candidates hired through external recruitment resources come from varied backgrounds. This helps them drive innovation and run things a little differently, thus bringing in a fresh approach to any project they undertake.

Access to Specialized Talent

Companies cannot hire anyone to fill critical roles that require highly qualified executives. This task is assigned to executive headhunters who specialize in identifying and screening high-calibre candidates with the right amount of industry experience. Huge conglomerates and companies seek special talent through external recruiters who have carved a niche for themselves.

Now that you have learnt the different ways in which leveraging external sources of recruitment benefits companies, let’s take a look at some of the best practices of external recruitment to understand how to effectively use their resources.

Best Practices for Effective External Recruitment

Identifying, reaching out to and screening the right candidates requires a robust working system. Every system works efficiently if a few best practices are implemented. For example, hiring through social media platforms requires companies to provide details about their working environment, how the job is relevant to their audience and well-positioned advertisements. The same applies to the other external sources of recruitment. Here is how you can optimise the system to ensure an effective recruitment process.

Craft Clear and Compelling Job Descriptions

Detail Responsibilities: Clearly outline the key responsibilities and expectations for the role.

Highlight Company Culture: Include information about the company’s mission, values, and growth opportunities to attract candidates who align with your organizational culture.

Leverage Multiple Recruitment Channels

Diversify Sources: Use a mix of job boards, social media platforms, recruitment agencies, and networking events to maximize reach. Relying on a single source can limit your candidate pool.

Utilize Industry-Specific Platforms: In addition to general job boards, consider niche job sites that cater to specific industries or skill sets

Streamline the Application Process

Simplify Applications: Ensure that the application process is user-friendly. Lengthy or complicated forms can deter potential candidates from applying.

Mobile Optimization: Many candidates use mobile devices to apply for jobs, so ensure your application process is mobile-friendly.

Engage in Proactive Sourcing

Reach Out to Passive Candidates: Actively seek out candidates who may not be actively looking for a job but could be a great fit for your organization. Use LinkedIn and other professional networks for this purpose.

Maintain a Talent Pool: Keep a database of previous applicants and strong candidates for future openings, allowing you to reach out when new roles become available.

Utilize Social Media Effectively

Promote Job Openings: Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to share job postings and engage with potential candidates. This approach can also enhance your employer brand

Conduct Background Checks: There are several ways of learning about potential candidates. Checking out candidate profiles on job boards like LinkedIn or social media platforms can give companies a better understanding of their potential candidates, thus confirming whether they are the right fit for the organization.

Implement Data-Driven Recruitment

Analyze Recruitment Metrics: Track key metrics such as time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and source effectiveness. This data can help refine your recruitment strategies over time. Using external hiring software like HackeEarth can streamline the recruitment process, thus ensuring quality hires without having to indulge internal resources for the same.

Use Predictive Analytics: In this age of fast paced internet, everybody makes data-driven decisions. Using predictive analytics to study employee data will help companies predict future trends, thus facilitating a productive hiring process.

Conclusion

External sources of recruitment play a very important role in an organization’s talent acquisition strategy. By employing various channels of recruitment such as social media, employee referrals and campus recruitment drives, companies can effectively carry out their hiring processes. AI-based recruitment management systems also help in the process. Implementing best practices in external recruitment will enable organizations to enhance their hiring processes effectively while meeting their strategic goals.

Recruitment Chatbot: A How-to Guide for Recruiters

Recruiters constantly look for innovative ways and solutions to efficiently attract and engage top talent. One of the recruiter tools at their disposal is the recruitment chatbot. These digital assistants are revolutionizing how recruiters work.

Are you looking to add a chatbot to your hiring process?

Our comprehensive guide will take you through the essentials of a recruitment chatbot-from its role and benefits to planning and building one and optimizing your own.

The rise of AI in recruitment


Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative force reshaping most industries, if not all. Today, you'll find AI-generated marketing content, financial predictions, and even AI-powered contact center solutions. The recruitment field has not been left behind. Professionals are using AI technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and predictive analytics, to enhance various aspects of recruitment.

A report by Facts & Factors projects the global AI recruitment market size will grow to $890.51 million by 2028.
AI-Recruitment-Market-Size
Source

Chatbots are a prime example of AI's practical application in the hiring process. They efficiently handle tasks that traditionally require constant human intervention-as we'll see in the next section.

Understanding recruitment chatbots


Now that you understand the role of AI in modern recruiting processes, let's focus on recruitment chatbots in particular.

What is a recruitment chatbot?

A recruitment chatbot is software designed to assist in the recruitment process by simulating human-like conversations and automating various tasks. The core functionalities include:
  • Asking candidates predefined questions about their qualifications, experience, and skills
  • Instantly responding to common questions about job openings, company culture, benefits, and application process
  • Automated interview scheduling process with human recruiters
  • Keeping qualified candidates informed about their application status
As of 2023, 35%-45% of companies were using AI recruitment tools. Here are two key notable ones:

General Motors


General Motors (GM) has a conversational hiring assistant, Ev-e, that appears as soon as you land on their career site.
General-Motors-Recruitment-Chatbot
Source

This AI-powered chatbot enabled GM to manage candidate communications efficiently. The company also lowered its interview scheduling time from 5-7 days to just 29 minutes. They also save around $2 million annually.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise


Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) also has a great recruiting chatbot- the HPE Career Bot. It also pops up when you land on HPE's career site.
HP-Career-Chatbot
Source

HPE's goal was to use the chatbot to convert passive candidates into actual job applicants, and they did just that.

Within the first three months of its rollout, the career bot more than doubled its usual career site visitors, reaching over 950,000 candidates. Additionally, HPE converted 26% of job seekers into actual hires.

Benefits of using recruitment chatbots

> The key benefits of using a recruitment chatbot include:
  • Saving valuable time: Recruitment chatbots can automate repetitive tasks like answering FAQs. That speeds up the recruitment process, allowing recruiters to focus on other administrative tasks.
  • 24/7 availability: Unlike human recruiters, who can only work 9-10 hours daily, chatbots are available around the clock.
  • Better quality of hires: Chatbots use predetermined criteria for the initial candidate screening process, meaning they only approve qualified candidates.
  • Lower hiring costs: By automating various time-consuming tasks, chatbots help significantly reduce recruitment costs.
By doing all the above, recruitment chatbots help you save resources that would be unnecessarily wasted if you were using the traditional hiring process.

Planning your recruitment chatbot


Without a well-thought-out plan, even the most advanced chatbot will fall short of expectations.

Defining your chatbot's objectives

Before building your recruitment chatbot, clearly understand what you want to achieve with it. Setting specific objectives. Some objective examples are:
  • To screen applicants
  • To schedule interviews
  • To provide company information
To identify the ideal objectives for your recruitment chatbot, map out the candidate journey from their initial interaction to the final hiring decision. Then, identify the touchpoints where the chatbot can add value.

For instance, if you waste most of your time screening candidates, create a chatbot that can efficiently assess qualifications and experience.

Establish metrics to measure chatbot success. They should align with the goals you set. Some great metrics could be a reduction in time-to-hire or candidate satisfaction scores.

Designing conversations for optimal engagement

The next step is to design the conversations your chatbot might have with candidates. Cover everything from greetings to solutions to misunderstood queries.
  • Greetings: Always begin with a warm greeting.
  • Language: Avoid jargon and overly formal language. Use simple, straightforward, conversational language.
  • Guided approach: Steer the conversation, providing clear instructions. You can also include quick reply buttons for common responses.
  • Misunderstood queries: Ensure your chatbot handles misunderstandings gracefully by politely asking for clarification.
Don't forget to include options for the chatbot to escalate complex queries to a human recruiter.

Building your recruitment chatbot


Now, you're ready to build a recruitment chatbot that will improve your overall talent acquisition strategy.

Choosing the right platform

Start by choosing the right chatbot platform. For this, there are factors you must consider.

The first is whether it will help you build a chatbot that meets your needs. To determine this, refer to your objectives. For instance, if your objective is to reduce repetitive inquiries, ensure the platform has strong NLP capabilities to understand and respond to candidate queries naturally.

The other factor is your technical expertise. Determine whether you need a no-code/low-code platform or have the technical resources to build a custom solution.

The no-code or low-code solution with pre-built templates is ideal for recruitment teams without extensive technical expertise. The custom solution, on the other hand, suits teams with technical resources.

Besides that, consider the features each chatbot tool offers. For instance, does it have multi-channel support, customization options, integration capabilities, and detailed analytics? Also, ensure you choose an option within your budget.

Some popular chatbot platforms include Mya, Olivia, XOR, and Ideal.

Development and integration

Developing and integrating your recruitment chatbot is the next. Here's a step-by-step guide:
  1. Define the scope and workflows: Identify the ideal candidate touchpoints-where and how the chatbot will interact with potential candidates.
  2. Scriptwriting: Write scripts for possible interactions the chatbot will have with candidates. Use generative AI tools to generate great responses that align with your desired conversation tone and style in minutes.
  3. Build the chatbot: Use your chosen platform to build a chatbot that aligns with your workflow and scripts.
  4. Testing: Conduct thorough testing to identify and fix any issues. You can start with your team and then beta-test it with a small group of suitable candidates.
  5. Integrate with existing HR systems: Integrate your recruitment chatbot with your Applicant Tracking System (ATS), your calendar, among others.
Once you're confident in the chatbot's performance, roll it out to candidates.

Training and optimizing your chatbot


Continuously train and optimize your recruitment chatbot to keep it aligned with your goals, changing recruitment needs, and company policies. Let's break this down:

Training your chatbot with AI and Machine Learning

Start by collecting historical data from past interactions, such as emails, chat logs, and support tickets, to use as the initial training data set. Leverage the data to teach your chatbot how to understand and respond to various candidate inquiries.

The data should include a wide range of scenarios.

Also, use NLP to train your recruitment chatbot to understand and process human language. You can use NLP frameworks like AllenNLP, Apache OpenNLP, or Google's BERT.

Implement a continuous learning loop where your recruitment chatbot can learn from new interactions to expand its knowledge base and adjust its conversational strategies.

Monitoring and improving chatbot performance

Regularly monitor your recruitment chatbot interactions and metrics to improve your recruitment chatbot performance and ensure candidate satisfaction.

Constantly review your interaction logs to understand how candidates are interacting with the chatbot. Identify common issues or misunderstandings. You can also collect user feedback directly from candidates who have interacted with the chatbot.

Track metrics like response accuracy, conversation completion rate, candidate satisfaction scores, and time saved for recruiters. You can then use the valuable insights to refine the scripts, improve responses, and address the knowledge gaps.

Additionally, keep up with the latest trends and advancements in AI and recruitment technology to maintain the chatbot's relevance over time.

Legal and ethical considerations


Using AI in recruitment comes with legal and ethical challenges. These include:

Ensuring compliance and privacy

Ensure your chatbot complies with data protection laws and regulations to avoid unnecessary legal suits.

Most regulations require you to inform candidates about the personal data collected, how you will use it, and your data retention policy.

Popular regulations include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Canada's PIPEDA.

Addressing bias in AI

AI-driven recruitment tools can unknowingly carry on biases from the training data or algorithms. You must address these biases to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all candidates.

Use diverse and representative training data to reduce the risk of biased outcomes. Also, regularly audit your training data for biases related to gender, race, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Best practices and tips


Implementing a recruitment chatbot requires you to follow best practices to effectively meet your hiring goals while providing a positive candidate experience.

Dos and don'ts for recruitment chatbots

Here are some of the most essential tips and common pitfalls:

Dos


-Ensure your chatbot is user-friendly and capable of handling various inquiries at a go.

-Offer personalized experiences.

-Provide relevant and timely information.

-Ensure the chatbot is accessible to all candidates, including those with disabilities.

Don'ts


-Don't over-automate. Maintain a balance with human touchpoints

-Don't overwhelm candidates with too much information at once

Future trends in AI recruitment


The future of AI in recruitment looks promising, with trends such as advanced natural language processing (NLP). The advanced capabilities will allow chatbots to understand and respond to more complex queries.

Besides that, we can expect future chatbots to use more interactive content, like video intros, virtual reality (VR) job previews, or virtual workplace tours to boost candidate engagement. A company like McKinsey & Company is already using gamified pre-employment assessments.
McKinsey-Gamified-Recruitment-Chatbot
Source

We will also see more advanced AI-powered candidate matching that provides personalized job recommendations based on a candidate's skills, experience, and career aspirations.

Conclusion


Recruitment chatbots are revolutionizing the recruiting process. By automating routine tasks, providing instant responses, and offering data-driven insights, chatbots enhance both recruiters' and candidates' experiences.

As discussed in this guide, implementing a recruitment chatbot involves several crucial steps.

Define the objectives and design conversation paths. Next, choose your ideal platform and build your chatbot. After that, train and continuously optimize it to ensure it remains accurate and relevant. Also, ensure you're complying with the core legal and ethical considerations.

Now go build a recruitment chatbot that slashes your workload and gives your candidates a great experience.
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