Guides

Everything you need to know about high-volume hiring

Rachel Hubbard
Talent acquisition expert

September 29, 2024

High-volume hiring isn’t just a task; it’s a never-ending race. You’re not hiring one person here or there; you’re looking to bring in an entire small army to meet your ambitions. Welcome to high-volume hiring, where the stakes are high, the pace is fast, and the margin for error is about as wide as a tightrope.

But don’t panic. I’ve got you.

This guide isn’t just about filling seats or checking boxes. High-volume hiring is about smart, strategic growth—getting the right people at exactly the right time to keep your company moving forward.

Think of it as trying to steer a high-speed train while laying down the tracks ahead of you. It’s tricky, but with the right approach (and maybe a little AI), it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you’re a scrappy startup founder or the harried head of HR, let’s dive into how AI recruiting can help with high-volume hiring.

Table of Contents

    What is high-volume hiring?

    High-volume hiring is exactly what it sounds like—bringing on a ton of new employees in a relatively short period of time. Maybe you just landed that Series A funding, or you’re about to launch a new product that requires serious manpower.

    Either way, high-volume hiring is all about speed and efficiency—but here’s the kicker: you still have to hire well. No throwing darts at a wall and hoping for the best.

    It’s an art. It’s a science. It’s kind of like balancing plates on a broomstick while riding a unicycle. But, as chaotic as it sounds, with the right strategy and a couple of tech tools, it can be manageable—even fun, if you’re into that sort of thing.

    Why high-volume hiring can make or break your business

    High-volume hiring isn’t just about “getting butts in seats” (although, yeah, you’ll need a few of those). It’s about finding talent that can push your company toward its next big milestone. Done well, it’s your ticket to scale, growth, and staying ahead of the competition.

    Done poorly? Well, you’re left with a revolving door of hires who don’t stick around long enough to make an impact—and that can send your startup dreams spiraling downward faster than you can say "burnout."

    In short, high-volume hiring is the key to future-proofing your business. Get it right, and you’ll have a team that can handle the growth spurt. Get it wrong, and you’re in a world of hurt, juggling bad hires and broken systems when you should be thinking about scaling.

    The big challenges of high-volume hiring

    High-volume hiring comes with its own unique set of hurdles, and it’s not always a smooth ride.

    1. Keeping quality while scaling fast

    Scaling fast doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Sure, the pressure is on, and deadlines are looming, but making hasty decisions can cost you later. That one rushed hire? Yeah, they might end up derailing your progress.

    2. Managing massive applicant pools

    You know the phrase "drinking from a firehose"? That’s pretty much what managing a huge applicant pool feels like. Without an organized system, you’re not only going to miss out on top talent—you might drown in a sea of resumes and emails.

    3. Balancing speed with candidate experience

    You’re in a race, but let’s not forget that the candidates are people, too. Moving too fast can lead to a clunky experience that scares away the best candidates. You’ve got to strike the perfect balance: efficient, but human.

    How AI is changing high-volume hiring

    Now, here’s where things get interesting. High-volume hiring doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling, panic-inducing experience. Enter: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Think of it as your 24/7 recruitment assistant that never needs sleep, coffee breaks, or pep talks.

    AI is. It’s here to take the grunt work off your plate—automating the tedious stuff so your HR team can focus on strategy, culture, and, you know, the human part of hiring.

    Streamlining the process

    AI can post job ads across every platform you can think of, scan thousands of resumes faster than you can say “Ctrl + F,” and even filter out unqualified applicants based on pre-set criteria. Essentially, it does the heavy lifting while you sit back, sip your latte, and make the final call on the top talent.

    Enhancing candidate screening

    AI can take screening a step further, too. We’re talking asynchronous interview summaries that gather and synthesise candidate responses in real-time. It’s like speed-dating for recruitment—but with smarter questions and better insights.

    AI and the future of hiring

    Let’s be clear: AI isn’t some passing fad. Despite concerns about AI recruitment bias, technology continues to evolve, AI is going to be an even bigger part of how we hire—especially in high-volume scenarios. And honestly, why wouldn’t you want a super-efficient robot assistant in your corner?

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    The secret to success: High-volume hiring strategies

    So, how do you handle high-volume hiring without losing your mind—or your top candidates? With a clear strategy and the right tools. Here’s the playbook:

    1. Leverage AI to automate the mundane

    Don’t spend your days manually posting jobs or sifting through hundreds of resumes. Let AI handle the repetitive tasks so you can focus on what really matters—like connecting with the best candidates.

    2. Build a data-driven hiring plan

    Your gut might be good, but data is better. Use AI to analyze trends, predict hiring needs, and refine your approach. Data helps you move faster and smarter, making high-volume hiring a lot less stressful.

    3. Prioritize diversity and inclusion

    A diverse team is a strong team. With AI, you can help remove bias from the hiring process by evaluating candidates on their skills, not their backgrounds. The result? A more inclusive, innovative workforce.

    4. Use social media to find top talent

    Your next superstar hire could be scrolling through Instagram right now. Don’t underestimate the power of social media for recruitment. Use targeted ads, engage with industry groups, and get creative in sourcing talent.

    5. Invest in a killer onboarding program

    Hiring fast doesn’t mean skimping on onboarding. Get your new hires up to speed with a well-thought-out onboarding program that sets them (and you) up for success.

    Upskilling your team to work with AI

    AI isn’t just about robots and algorithms—it’s about the people behind the tools. Your HR team doesn’t need to become Silicon Valley engineers overnight, but they do need to understand how to leverage AI effectively. Training them to work with AI tools and fostering a mindset of continuous learning will ensure that they can manage high-volume hiring like pros.

    How to measure success in high-volume hiring

    Okay, you’ve got your strategy. Now, how do you know it’s actually working? It’s all about the metrics.

    Time-to-Hire

    How long is it taking you to fill a position? If it’s dragging, that’s a red flag. AI can help you tighten the timeline without sacrificing quality. You can also use our time-to-hire calculation prompt.

    Quality of Hire

    This one’s trickier but crucial. It’s not just about hiring quickly—it’s about hiring the right people. Look at performance data, turnover rates, and employee satisfaction to gauge the quality of your hires.

    Continuous Feedback

    Feedback is your best friend. Collect it from your HR team, hiring managers, and candidates. Use it to improve your process and keep evolving.

    The future of high-volume hiring in the AI era

    High-volume hiring can feel like a wild ride, but with AI on your side, it’s a ride you can control. By embracing technology, refining your strategy, and focusing on what matters—people—you can turn high-volume hiring from a daunting task into a growth engine for your business.

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    Common interview technique FAQs

    What are the key elements of interviewing known as the 5 C's?

    The 5 C's of interviewing include Competency, Character, Communication Skills, Culture Fit, and Career Direction. Competency involves having the necessary technical skills for the task, often assessed through technical evaluations during the interview.

    How can one conduct an interview effectively?

    To conduct an effective interview, start by making the applicant comfortable, such as by establishing rapport with a shared topic before diving into more challenging questions. Utilize open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses, listen more than you speak, take notes diligently, and be mindful of legal boundaries in questioning.

    What are five effective tips for performing well in an interview?

    When giving an interview, it's advisable to arrive early, prepare a brief summary of your experience relevant to the position, listen attentively to each question, maintain a positive demeanor while avoiding negative remarks about previous employers, and be conscious of your body language and tone.

    What steps should be followed to conduct a proper interview?

    A good interview should begin with a friendly opening to make the candidate feel at ease, followed by proper introductions. Set clear expectations for the interview, treat it as a conversational exchange to gather essential information, and share your leadership philosophies. Finally, allow the candidate to ask their own questions.

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    Rachel Hubbard
    Talent acquisition expert
    With over ten years of recruiting experience in both professional and retail industries, Rachel delivers personalized 5-star service to stakeholders and applicants. As a seasoned writer on best hiring practices and HR, Rachel loves to design streamlined recruitment processes and foster collaborative relationships to place top talent in ideal roles.

    Smarter, faster, and fairer hiring starts here.