Increasing turn out ratio to interviews

Introduction: Organizations face many challenges in recruitment. One of the challenge and very often heard is very less candidates turn to interviews even after accepting and confirming to attend the interview.

Tips to increase turn out ratio to interviews:

Recruiters often spend only 5 -10 minutes while screening the resume and schedule the interview as a routine job. Recruiters are advised to spend more time at the screening level itself. The value addition by a recruiter can be done as below:

At the screening stage:

• Analyze the resume properly to understand if the applicant is a frequent job hopper. If the applicant is a frequent is job hopper, then the chances of attending interview is very likely;
• Talk to each and every candidate who is shortlisted in the screening level;
• Try to understand and gauge the interest levels of the applicant;
• Ask questions about the company and his/her interest levels in the company;
• Ask questions like the reasons for looking for a job change, reasons for showing interest in your company;
• Get references from the applicant and talk to references;
• Please ensure to collect at least one alternate mobile or land line number. This will allow recruiter to follow up or reach the candidate if the primary phone number is not reachable due to any technical issue;
• Create a genuine interest in the applicant by providing some material related to your organization like organization culture, leadership, compensation structure, benefits, perks, work life balance and etc.

Follow the below tips once the applicant is shortlisted for interview: Give at least one day of notice to the candidate about the interview and send an e-mail with

• Detailed job description;
• Company information about website, brochure and etc;
• Detailed interview process – levels of interview, venue of the interview (with directions and land mark), time of interview. If possible provide name of interviewer(s);
• Provide the name of the coordinator or HR representative name who is responsible for organizing and conducting interviews;
• Also, please do send the information related to transport like availability of public transport – Bus, Auto rickshaw or taxi. 
• Send a message (SMS) in brief with interview venue and contact numbers. 

 On the interview date:

• Follow up with each and every applicant via calling over phone;
• Inform each applicant to inform you upon reaching the interview venue and after completing the interview.

After the interview:

• One final tip, which most recruiters do not follow, share feedback to each and every candidate upon completion of the interview or after the interviewers provides feedback. Convey the feedback even if it is negative. This would not only increase the respect for you but also builds a positive brand of your organization.

Saying all these, we cannot really ensure all applicants are attending interviews. Basically it depends upon the attitude, the sense of urgency and interest levels of the applicant. By following the above tips, we can try to increase the number of applicants attending interview.