Data-Driven Recruiting: Metrics That Actually Matter

In the world of recruiting, it's easy to get lost in a sea of data. "Applications per role" or "time on page" are interesting, but they are often vanity metrics that don't tell you anything about the health of your hiring process. To be truly data-driven, you need to focus on KPIs that measure efficiency and quality.

Three Recruiting Metrics That Move the Needle

If you want to make a real impact, stop tracking dozens of metrics and focus on these three:

1. Pass-Through Rate

This is the percentage of candidates who advance from one stage of your funnel to the next. The most important pass-through rate to track is from **Applicant to Qualified**. What percentage of people who apply are actually worth a phone screen?

If this number is low (e.g., less than 20%), it's a major red flag. It means you're spending the vast majority of your time and resources on unqualified leads. Tools like Sift are designed to fix this metric by ensuring a near-100% Applicant-to-Qualified rate.

2. Time-to-Hire

How long does it take to get from a job posting to a signed offer? As we've discussed, a long time-to-hire means you're losing top talent. By tracking this, you can identify bottlenecks. If you see that "Initial Screening" is taking up a week or more, you know you have an efficiency problem at the top of your funnel that automation can solve.

3. Quality of Hire

This is the ultimate measure of success, though it's the hardest to quantify. It's typically measured by combining a new hire's performance review score, their retention after one year, and the hiring manager's satisfaction. Improving your screening process directly impacts this metric. When you screen for real skills, you hire people who are better at the job, leading to higher performance and retention.

Start Measuring What Matters

Being data-driven isn't about having more charts; it's about having the *right* charts. Start by getting a clear picture of your Applicant-to-Qualified pass-through rate. Sift's analytics dashboard gives you this data out of the box, providing a clear, actionable starting point for optimizing your entire hiring process.