Did you know, 47% of job candidates confessed they had not applied for a particular position because the application process was so frustrating? It’s true, there are few things more nerve-wracking to jobseekers than a difficult application process. 

With so many options available to jobseekers these days, a laborious application process can be a quick deal-breaker in whether a candidate decides to apply or not—causing you to lose out on top talent who otherwise may have been a great fit for your open position. 

As an employer, one of your main goals is to attract the best candidates for your organization. That’s why creating an easy application process must be a priority. But first, you need to understand what a frictionless application process looks like and how you can create one for your organization. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the key elements of what easy applying looks like and provide actionable steps to help you streamline your company’s application process. 

Five Benefits of Having Easy Applications for Candidates 

Before we dive right into how to create easy applications for your organization, let’s cover some of the undeniable benefits of creating a frictionless candidate experience, starting at the very beginning of the process. 

1. Improved Candidate Experience

With the application being the first major touchpoint jobseekers will have with your company, it immediately sets the tone for the candidate’s experience. A smooth, efficient application process will establish a positive relationship with your organization from the outset. 

2. Increased Applicant Pool

By making it easier for candidates to apply, you can increase your pool of applicants and potentially attract more top talent. This is exceptionally important for the current competitive job market, where top candidates may receive multiple interviews and job offers. 

3. Reduced Administrative Burden

Automating parts of the application process can help reduce the administrative burden on HR teams and hiring managers—which will ultimately free up time for interviewing, assessing candidates and speeding up the hiring process. Not to mention, it can boost your bottom line, too. 

4. More Robust Candidate Data

By automating the process of parsing resumes, you can ensure that all relevant information is captured accurately and consistently, so that your hiring team can make better-informed hiring decisions and improve the quality and accessibility of candidate data stored in your systems. 

5. Better Candidate Engagement

Lastly, by providing timely follow-ups and updates on the status of an application, you can keep candidates engaged and interested in the role. With candidates wanting immediacy in the job market, this will not only keep candidates more engaged from the moment they hit “Apply,” but will also help your organization build trust and improve the candidate experience over time. 

How to Create an Easy Application Process  

Now that you know the clear benefits of implementing a frictionless application process, let’s dive into your action items to make it happen. 

Here are five steps to creating easy applications for your job openings: 

1. Write Clear, Concise Job Descriptions 

If you want to attract people with pizzazz, then your job description should have some pizzazz, as well. Not only should you provide a clear overview of the role, responsibilities and requirements in your job description, but you should also highlight the exciting parts of the role. What details will compel jobseekers to apply? This will help candidates determine if the position is a good fit for their skills and experience and avoid wasting time on applications that are not a good match. 

2. Establish a Mobile-Friendly Application Process 

Here’s a wild stat for you: 45% of people apply for jobs from their mobile device. That being said, it’s essential that your application process is mobile-friendly. This means that candidates should be able to easily apply for a job on their smartphone or tablet, without having to navigate a clunky website or struggle with formatting issues. 

3. Create an Efficient and Straightforward Application Form 

The application form should be easy to complete, with only the essential information required to assess the candidate’s fit for the role. Avoid asking for information that isn’t directly relevant to the job, such as social security numbers or bank account details. These are major red flags for jobseekers. 

4. Implement Automated Resume Parsing 

No candidate wants to upload their resume and still be required to manually fill in all the same information into the application. Auto-fill applications have become an expectation, not just a “nice-to-have.” 

Resume-parsing technology can automatically extract key information from a candidate’s resume, reducing the time and effort required to complete the application form. This can also reduce the risk of human error, ensuring that all relevant information is captured accurately. 

5. Ensure a Timely Follow-Up  

After applying, candidates should receive prompt acknowledgment and updates on the status of their application. This is yet another way to build trust and establish a positive relationship with the candidate. Even if they’re not ultimately selected for the role, it’s a way to keep them interested in being part of your talent pool for future openings. 

Create a Frictionless Candidate Experience from Top to Bottom with Zing Recruiting 

Here at Zing, we take the friction out of the job search for candidates and the talent search for companies. Our specialty is in finding dedicated professionals with smarts, energy, talent and fresh perspectives—professionals at the top of their game. Professionals who are the best fit for you. 

Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, Zing Recruiting has the tools you need to streamline your recruitment process and attract top talent. Get in touch to learn how we can make it easier for people who’ve got that “zing” to find you.