For talent acquisition, it’s a whole new world. The interviewing landscape has completely transformed into a highly competitive, candidate-driven market. In fact, a record four million people quit their jobs in April 2021. As The Great Resignation continues onward, job seekers are out in full force. Now is prime time to level up your hiring process by examining your interviewer training efforts.

Some hiring managers think they don’t need to train up or prepare for interviews as much as the candidates they’re speaking to, since they’re the ones doing the hiring. TA leaders know that just simply isn’t true. 

A good impression and an optimal experience goes both ways. Going the extra mile to look professional, showcase the role and company culture, including making candidates feel welcome and comfortable, can be what it takes to score you the quality hire that your organization needs to excel. 

Let’s take a look at seven statistics on interviewer training for hiring managers that every TA pro can use to up-level their training program.

1. 99% Of Hiring Managers Who Get Interviewer Training Say They Truly Need It 

Most hiring managers haven’t had interviewer skills training. However, almost 100% of those that go through either agree or strongly agree that they have more knowledge about the company’s hiring process and philosophy, and feel more confident about conducting effective interviews. 

If that’s not a sign that you should implement interviewer training at the workplace right now, we don’t know what is.

2. Average Time To Hire Is 90 Days 

The average employer interviews six to 10 people for a job. This takes a process of about 2 to 3 months. If they still haven’t successfully hired someone, they would repeat this process.

Is your process taking so long that you’re missing out on top candidates? A solid foundation with standardized hiring processes and efficient, time-saving tech tools is key to securing the right candidates faster.

3. 20% Of Hiring Managers Ask Illegal Interview Questions

One in 5 employers have unknowingly asked an illegal interview question before, and about one in three of them are unsure about whether or not the questions they are supposed to ask are legal. 

The wrong type of questions give off the impression that the interviewer is unprepared, disinterested, or insensitive. Some questions may be intrusive or show a pattern of discriminatory practices and put the organization in a tenuous spot. Hiring managers must know what can and cannot be asked — and the TA team must insure this. 

4. Unsuitable Hires Cost Your Company up to 30% Of First-year Earnings

This is broken down into retention, salary, and hiring a new candidate to replace the individual. It’s important to properly assess your candidates from the start, so that hiring managers can avoid these costs. This doesn’t take into account the expense to productivity, team morale, or time managing poor performance.

5. Workplace Discrimination Suits Are Won Over 95% Of the Time

In 2020, the EEOC found 67,448 charges of workplace discrimination, winning just over $106 million for charging parties and other aggrieved individuals. This is a 95.8% success rate for their district court resolution outcome. 

Untrained interviewers may not know what they can and cannot ask, and end up saying the wrong things during interviews that can aggravate candidates. This will put the company at the risk of liability, reputation damage, and losing out on quality talents. 

6. The time it takes to make a good first impression = 7 seconds 

Hiring managers only have one shot at a first impression with candidates. You have to make it count. Other studies have found that determining traits like trustworthiness takes just a tenth of a second.

7. Burnout Can Cost Employees 34% Of Their Annual Salary 

Finding the perfect fit for the company is one thing. It’s also essential to focus on a candidate’s well-being and communicate expectations the right way.

Navigating the interviewer training process can be tricky one, especially if you’re rooted in old practices. With the dynamics of recruitment shifting, it’s important that hiring managers lead the way in helping their organizations adapt to this change.

It’s time to make a shift toward candidate-centered, connection-driven interviews. 

Learn more about how GoodTime Hire’s automated interview scheduling software can make that happen for your team to win top talent 70% faster.

About the Author

Rachel Heller

Rachel is passionate about creating and distributing powerful, engaging, and expert-vetted content. As the former Content Specialist at GoodTime, she covered the latest trends, insights, and expert recommendations for all things talent acquisition and recruiting.