What is an Applicant Pool?
An applicant pool is a group of individuals who have applied for a specific job or position within a company. The applicant pool typically consists of individuals who have submitted their resumes and other relevant information in response to a job posting or advertisement. The applicant pool is often used by hiring managers and other decision-makers to select the most qualified candidates for the position.
The applicant pool is typically composed of people who have submitted resumes or other application materials, such as cover letters or writing samples. These materials are then reviewed by the employer or program administrator to determine which candidates are the most qualified for the position or program.
The applicant pool is an important factor in the hiring or admissions process, as it determines the pool of candidates from which the final selection will be made. Employers or admissions committees may review a large number of applications in order to identify the most qualified candidates.
Top 5 things to do to understand the applicant pool better and improve hiring decisions
- Carefully review resumes and cover letters to get a sense of each candidate’s experience and qualifications.
- Conduct thorough interviews with each candidate to gain insight into their skills, personality, and potential fit with the company.
- Ask for references and conduct background checks to verify a candidate’s experience and credentials.
- Gather feedback from current employees to refine the job posting and attract a more qualified group of applicants.
- Consider implementing assessment tools, such as skills tests or personality assessments, to gain additional insight into a candidate’s abilities and fit for the role.
How to organize and manage a large applicant pool
Here are some tips for organizing and managing a large applicant pool:
- Use an applicant tracking system (ATS): An ATS is a software tool that allows you to manage and track job applications. It can help you track each application’s status, schedule interviews, and send automated emails to candidates.
- Create a consistent review process: Develop a constant process for reviewing and evaluating applications. This will help ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and that you are able to make an informed decision about which candidates to move forward with.
- Set up a system for organizing and storing resumes and other application materials: With a large applicant pool, it can be easy for resumes and other materials to get lost or misplaced.
- Communicate with candidates: Keep candidates informed about the status of their applications and the next steps in the process.
- Use a scoring system: Consider using a scoring system to help you evaluate candidates and decide who to move forward with. This can help ensure that you are making objective, data-driven decisions.
- Seek help: If you have a particularly large applicant pool, you may want to consider seeking additional help with the review and evaluation process.