How can I reduce recruiting time using IVR?

We are about to ramp up our hiring but have limited manpower and even less time. I've heard about recruiting and screening employees using interactive voice response (IVR), but I have no idea how to go about it. What do you know about IRV recruiting?

How can I reduce recruiting time using IVR?

Execution of an IVR recruiting tool is super-simple and super-smart! Here's are the basic steps to get you started:

1. Set up a phone line dedicated to recruiting. 

2. Record your regular screening questions on the IVR 

a. Capture identifying information on applicant (name, phone number) 

b. Brief introduction to your business 

c. List of available positions 

d. Interview questions relating to education, qualifications and other job requirements. 

e. If the open position involves phone contact with customers, have applicant record a voice sample. 

f. Provide applicants with a reference number at the end of the interview. 

3. Direct applicants to call your IVR recruiting line as the first step of the recruiting and screening process.

 4. The information your IVR collects is used to create reports that you (or your recruiters) can search or filter based on their preferred criteria. For example, you can search only those employees that have customer service experience or a certain education level, eliminating applicants that don’t qualify before you even meet them! 

The benefits of recruiting via IVR include reduced number of interviews conducted and heaps of saved time. Additionally, you might also consider web-based recruiting. Web based recruiting is very similar to IVR recruiting and is even easier to execute and update if you have a webmaster at your beck and call. I prefer web based recruiting because you can also get a feel for the applicant’s typing skills (typos, grammar, etc.). 

I also like that you can post a paragraph on your website that the applicant is to read and record as a voice sample. (The applicant would call your IVR recruiting line and read and record the paragraph that you post. This gives you a great idea of the applicant’s phone personality.)