Module 1/4 26 min
The recruiting funnel and the most-skipped step
Step 1 / 4·The funnel: where to look when hiring stalls
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Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Learn the recruiting funnel and the metrics at each stage
- Run an effective intake meeting with the hiring manager
- Write a JD that attracts without screening out good people
Learn ~8 min
The funnel: where to look when hiring stalls
Diagnose hiring problems with funnel data.
When a role won't fill, the usual answer is 'it's a tough market'. But the funnel lets you diagnose far more precisely: is the block at ATTRACTION (not enough candidates entering), SCREENING (plenty of candidates but the wrong ones), INTERVIEWING (right people, rejected), or OFFER (you chose someone and they declined)?
Each block needs a completely different fix. Misdiagnosing is why organisations pour money into job advertising when the real problem is their offer-decline rate.
Diagnosing by symptom
| Symptom | Blocked stage | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Very few applications | Attraction | Review channels, JD, published pay, employer brand |
| Many applications, mostly unsuitable | Source quality | Review JD and criteria; change channels |
| Passing screening but failing interviews | Wrong screening criteria | Realign criteria between HR and the hiring manager |
| Candidates chosen but declining offers | Offer stage | Review pay, process speed, candidate experience |
| Hires leaving within six months | Hiring quality / onboarding | Review assessment accuracy and the induction process |
Key takeaway: Use the funnel to pinpoint the blocked stage — each one needs a different fix.