Single Stage Vs. Multi-Stage Applications in SuccessFactors Recruiting

SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting customers: are you using a single stage or multi-stage application? In this blog we'll review each option so you can decide which is best for your organization.

Single Stage Application

A single stage application means the applicant is required to fill out everything at one time, when they initially apply. If you have a long application process and ask the applicant to provide everything up front, including possible personal information, the applicant must be willing to give you all the information up front before being considered for the job, or else they can’t apply.

Multi-Stage Application

A multi-stage application on the other hand, breaks the application process up into stages. Perhaps initially, you are only asking for a resume, contact information, and few other limited pieces of information. If the candidate is interviewed and moved to the background or offer stage in the application process, they are then required to fill out additional information on their application, but only if they reach that stage. The other applicants who weren’t chosen for the job didn’t have to spend a great deal of time applying (which may encourage them to apply for additional jobs on your career site).

Optimizing Your Candidate Experience

Does application length matter to a job seeker? Absolutely! Think about your application process today, how long does it take to complete and what are you asking the candidate to provide up front? Is it going to take a jobseeker more than 20 minutes to apply for your job and are you asking them for detailed personal information? If the answer to those questions is yes, those jobseekers may decide not to apply, and you could be missing out on great candidates!

What can your organization do to avoid missing out on great candidates? After all, you’ve done half of the work already by enticing them with your job posting and have gotten them interested enough to click apply, you don’t want to lose them now! Go through your application and look at it through the lens of an applicant. Would you provide everything asked on the application? How long does it take you to apply? If you are currently using a single stage application, would you be better served by transitioning to a multi-stage application? Ask newly hired employees about their application experience.

Digging Deeper with Advanced Analytics

If you are an SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting and Recruiting Marketing customer you can leverage the Advanced Analytics tool to help you discover if you have a high candidate drop-off rate, meaning you have lots of candidates start the application process but for some reason they do not complete the application. If so, this may be a good indicator that refining your application may be a good idea.

Don’t ignore the message your applicants are sending. Your organization may be doing everything else right, but if you can’t get the right people to fill your jobs you are both missing out.

If you want to know more about SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting or the multi-stage application, contact us today! We’d be happy to review your application process with you.