If you want to find the best talent for your team, it's time to get innovative and collaborate with your colleagues during the hiring process.
Do NOT do it alone.
Not only does collaborating lead to more diverse, engaged, and productive teams, but it can also lead to increased financial performance.
According to a study by McKinsey, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability. In comparison, companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity are 33% more likely to have above-average profitability.
But diversity is not just about numbers. It's about fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values the unique perspectives, experiences, and skill sets each employee brings. Diverse teams report higher job satisfaction, employee engagement, and productivity levels.
In fact, according to a survey by Glassdoor, 67% of job seekers said that a diverse workforce is important to them when evaluating companies and job offers.
By collaborating with your team during the hiring process, you can bring together different perspectives, experiences, and skill sets, leading to increased creativity and innovation in the hiring process and better decision-making.
According to a study by Harvard Business Review, teams that make decisions collaboratively outperform those that make decisions individually by up to 66%.
In this article, we'll explore the importance of team collaboration when hiring and how it can help reduce bias, improve decision-making, enhance the candidate experience, and increase employee engagement.
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We'll also discuss optimising collaboration during hiring by using structured interviews, diverse interview panels, and blind resume reviews. By the end of this article, you'll have the tools and knowledge you need to transform your hiring process and build a stronger, more diverse team ready to take on any challenge.
So let's get started!
1. Increased Diversity of Thought
Collaborating with others during the hiring process brings together different perspectives, experiences, and skill sets.
This diversity can lead to increased creativity and innovation in the hiring process.
According to a study by McKinsey, companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity are 33% more likely to have above-average profitability than those in the bottom quartile.
Additionally, diverse teams report higher job satisfaction, employee engagement, and productivity levels.
To optimise collaboration for increased diversity of thought:
- Assign a diverse hiring team with different backgrounds and skill sets to collaborate on the hiring process.
- Conduct diverse interviews with various candidates to bring in different perspectives and experiences.
- Set diverse hiring goals to hire a diverse pool of candidates, including underrepresented groups.
2. Improved Decision-Making
Collaborating with others during the hiring process can also improve decision-making. When you work with others, you can bounce ideas off each other, challenge assumptions, and identify blind spots.
This can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the candidate and, ultimately, a better hiring decision.
According to a study by Harvard Business Review, teams that make decisions collaboratively outperform those that make decisions individually by up to 66%.
To optimise collaboration for improved decision-making:
- Create a hiring rubric that includes specific criteria for evaluating candidates to ensure consistency and objectivity.
- After interviews, conduct debrief sessions with the hiring team to discuss each candidate's strengths and weaknesses and come to a collective decision.
- Encourage honest feedback and constructive criticism from team members to avoid biases and improve decision-making.
3. Better Candidate Experiences
Collaborating during the hiring process can also lead to better candidate experiences. Candidates with positive experiences during the hiring process are more likely to accept job offers and recommend the company to others.
According to a study by CareerBuilder, 68% of candidates believe how they're treated during the hiring process reflects how the company treats its employees.
To optimise collaboration for better candidate experiences:
- Communicate regularly with candidates throughout the hiring process to keep them informed and engaged.
- Provide a positive interview experience by being welcoming, friendly, and professional.
- Offer feedback to candidates, even if they're not selected for the position, to help them improve their job search and maintain a positive impression of the company.
4. Reduced Bias in Hiring
Collaborating with others during the hiring process can also help reduce bias in the hiring process. When you work with others, you can identify and challenge your own biases and those of your colleagues.
This can lead to a more objective and fair hiring process.
According to a study by LinkedIn, 42% of companies that use collaborative hiring methods report a decrease in unconscious bias.
To optimise collaboration for reduced bias in hiring:
- Use structured interviews with pre-determined questions to ensure consistency and reduce bias.
- Include diverse interview panellists to reduce the risk of bias.
- Remove identifying information from resumes before reviewing them to reduce unconscious bias.
5. Enhanced Onboarding
Collaboration with team members during the hiring process can also lead to an enhanced onboarding experience for the new hire.
When you work together, you can create a comprehensive onboarding plan that includes all the necessary information and resources for the new hire to succeed, leading to a smoother transition into the company and a better chance of retaining the new hire long-term.
According to a study by Glassdoor, organisations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.
To optimise collaboration for enhanced onboarding:
- Work together to create an onboarding plan that includes all the necessary information and resources for the new hire to succeed.
- Assign mentors to the new hire to provide support and guidance during their first few weeks on the job.
- Conduct check-ins with the new hire to ensure they're adjusting well and addressing any concerns or issues they may have.
6. Increased Employee Engagement
Collaboration during the hiring process can also increase employee engagement. Team members feel valued and respected when they are involved in the hiring process, increasing levels of engagement and a stronger sense of belonging within the company.
In fact, according to a study by Gallup, companies with engaged employees have 21% higher profitability than those without.
To optimise collaboration for increased employee engagement, try:
- Involve team members in the hiring process to make them feel valued and respected.
- Encourage open communication and feedback to create a positive and supportive work environment.
- Offer professional development opportunities to show team members that you're invested in their growth and development.
7. Improved Company Culture
Collaboration during the hiring process can also improve company culture.
When you work together, you can identify and hire candidates who align with your company's values and culture, giving your business a stronger and more cohesive company culture, improving employee satisfaction and retention.
According to a study by Deloitte, companies with strong cultures have 30% higher levels of innovation and 40% higher levels of employee retention.
To optimise collaboration for improved company culture:
- Identify and define your company values to ensure that candidates who align with those values are prioritised in the hiring process.
- Involve team members in the hiring process to ensure that new hires align with your company culture.
- Reinforce your company culture through training and development, performance management, and recognition programs.
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To wrap up...
In conclusion, collaborating as a team is essential for any company looking to optimise its hiring process and improve its overall work environment.
By collaborating, you can increase the diversity of thought, improve decision-making, provide better candidate experiences, reduce bias, enhance onboarding, increase employee engagement, and improve company culture.
To optimise collaboration, try creating an onboarding plan, assigning mentors, conducting check-ins, involving team members in the hiring process, encouraging open communication, offering professional development, identifying company values, and reinforcing company culture.
By Chris Smith
13 Mar 2023 · 4 min read
Founder of GoHire, dedicated to simplifying hiring for SMBs across the globe. Passionate about tech, SaaS, business, and recruitment innovations. Always up for a chat about the latest in our field. Let's connect!
