The Negative Impact On Startups Of Posting Jobs Manually [7 Key Problems]

In the competitive world of startups, time is of the essence. Every minute founders spend on non-core tasks is the time taken away from growing and nurturing their businesses.

One of these time-consuming tasks is manually posting job openings on multiple job boards, which can eat up valuable resources that could otherwise be invested in strategic initiatives. 

A report by Atlassian found that employees spend an average of 60% of their work hours on non-productive tasks, with manual job posting being a significant contributor. 

In this article, we will explore the drawbacks of manually posting jobs on various job boards, the impact it has on founders' productivity, and how to overcome this challenge for the betterment of your startup.

Let's go...

1. The Time It Takes To Post Manually

Posting jobs on multiple job boards manually is a laborious process that can quickly consume hours of a founder's valuable time.

A 2021 study by Appcast found that the average time spent posting a single job across various platforms is approximately 1.5 hours. 

Suppose a startup is hiring for multiple roles. This time can rapidly accumulate in that case, taking founders away from other crucial aspects of their businesses, such as strategy, product development, and customer relations. 

As a result, an estimated 32% of a founder's time is spent on recruiting and hiring, according to a study by Small Business Trends.

2. Inconsistency and Human Error

Manually posting job openings on different platforms increases the likelihood of inconsistencies and errors in job descriptions and requirements. 

Inconsistencies and errors can lead to miscommunication and confusion among potential candidates, resulting in a less effective hiring process and a weaker pool of applicants. 

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 75% of employers have hired the wrong person for a position, with human error being a significant factor.

3. Reduced Exposure

When time is limited, founders may prioritise posting on a select few job boards, inadvertently reducing the exposure of their job openings to a broader audience. 

This can lead to missed opportunities to attract diverse and top-tier talent, hindering the startup's ability to build a solid and skilled team. 

In fact, a study by Glassdoor found that each corporate job opening attracts an average of 250 resumes, but only a fraction of those resumes come from top talent when job postings are limited to a few platforms.

4. The Cost of Lost Time

The time founders spend manually posting jobs on various job boards comes at a high cost, as it takes away from other critical tasks that could drive the startup's growth. 

According to a 2019 report by Salesforce, 66% of small business owners feel responsible for two or more job roles within their company. 

With multiple responsibilities to juggle, every minute saved on non-core tasks can substantially impact the founder's ability to focus on what truly matters. 

A study by McKinsey found that reallocating time to core activities can improve a startup's productivity by up to 40%.

5. Inefficient Tracking of Applicants

Manually posting jobs on multiple job boards can result in disorganised and inefficient applicant tracking. Keeping track of candidates, their progress in the hiring process, and their correspondence can be overwhelming when managed across various platforms. 

This can lead to missed follow-ups, overlooked candidates, and a longer time to hire. A study by Workable found that the average time-to-hire for small businesses was 30 days, with inefficient applicant tracking cited as a contributing factor.

6. Difficulty in Measuring the Effectiveness of Job Posts

When job postings are manually distributed across multiple job boards, measuring the effectiveness of each post and platform becomes challenging.

Without proper tracking and analytics, founders are left guessing which job boards deliver the best results and which ones may need adjustments. 

This lack of data-driven insights can hinder optimising job posting strategies and lead to wasted time and resources. According to a report by Gartner, companies that implement data-driven recruitment strategies can reduce costs by up to 25% and improve the quality of their hires by up to 30%.

7. Inadequate Employer Branding

Manually posting jobs on various job boards can lead to consistent employer branding, as founders may need help maintaining a uniform brand image and messaging across different platforms. 

A strong employer brand is crucial in attracting top talent. A study by LinkedIn shows that companies with a strong employer brand receive 50% more qualified applicants and reduce their cost-per-hire by up to 50%. 

Inconsistency in employer branding can positively impact the perception of your startup in the job market, resulting in a stronger pool of applicants and a more challenging recruitment process.

8. Increased Time-to-Hire

As manually posting jobs on multiple job boards consumes time, it also inadvertently increases the time-to-hire. 

A longer time-to-hire can negatively impact a startup's ability to fill crucial roles quickly and efficiently, affecting overall productivity and growth. According to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the average time-to-fill for a position is 42 days, with manual job posting contributing to this extended timeline. 

An increased time-to-hire can hinder your startup's competitiveness and ability to scale in a fast-paced startup environment.

How to solve your manual job posting problems

Embrace Automation

By adopting an applicant tracking system (ATS) or job posting software, founders can automate and streamline the job posting process, saving valuable time. 

These tools enable you to post job openings on multiple job boards simultaneously, ensuring that your job postings reach a wide audience with minimal effort. 

In fact, a study by Capterra found that companies using an ATS experienced a 30% reduction in the time it takes to fill a position compared to manual methods.

Leverage Social Media and Networking

Social media platforms and industry networks can effectively share job openings and reach passive candidates. 

According to a 2021 LinkedIn report, 47% of recruiters leverage social media to find candidates, and 79% of job seekers use social media in their job search. By tapping into these resources, founders can reduce the time spent on manual job postings while expanding their reach to potential candidates. 

This approach also improves employer branding. Research by Glassdoor shows that companies with a strong social media presence attract 49% more applicants per job posting than companies with a weaker presence.

Partner with Local Universities and Organisations

Collaborating with local universities, colleges, and professional organisations can provide access to targeted and qualified talent pools. 

By building relationships with these institutions, startups can save time on manual job posting and leverage these partnerships to source talent more efficiently. 

A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 76% of employers plan to increase their use of university relationships to find top talent. 

Moreover, partnering with local organisations can significantly reduce time-to-hire, with NACE research indicating that job openings filled through university partnerships take 25% less time than traditional job boards.

To wrap up the negative impact on startups of posting jobs manually

The time founders spend manually posting jobs on multiple job boards comes at a high cost to their startups, as it diverts attention away from critical business activities. 

By embracing modern solutions and leveraging alternative channels for talent acquisition, founders can save valuable time and focus on driving their startups towards success. 

Unlocking time savings through automation and strategic partnerships will not only enhance the efficiency of your hiring process but will also empower your startup to attract and retain top talent, fueling your growth and competitive edge in the ever-evolving business landscape. 

As demonstrated by a report from the World Economic Forum, innovative hiring practices contribute to a 22% increase in revenue and a 23% increase in profits for startups, underscoring the importance of optimising your recruitment strategy for long-term success.