Inbound Overload: How Easy Apply Broke Job Ads

Post and pray has been a term used to describe hiring for years.? When job markets soften, historically it has worked.??

During every downturn in hiring (2001, 2009, 2020) companies could post a job and have a great chance of getting a bunch of qualified candidates. When Indeed came on the scene, it was glorious for companies.

1. Publish a job on your website
2. Indeed scraped it and millions of people could find it on their site
3. They applied directly to your site

All of this happened and hires were made without spending anything (other than people’s time).

The world has changed. Nothing is free - at least when it comes to indeed.

What’s worse? The job market has been soft for the past 12-18 months, but hiring hasn’t gotten easier. Bots, easy-apply buttons and AI-tailored resumes make everyone look great (on paper).

Internal TA teams can spend hours/days/weeks reviewing all of the candidates. No small task, for teams that have been severely trimmed over the past 2 years.

TLDR - it is never easy to hire, even when it should be easy(er).

What’s the solution?? Tune into our latest talent rant to find out.

More is not always better. And the killer combo of Easy Apply buttons and 1 click AI resume customization pushed inbound applications to the max.

Here’s the harsh reality: we’re quickly approaching the point where inbound applies are so far off the mark – and in such high quality – that it’s easier to fill openings by not posting any jobs at all. Outbound “headhunting” is becoming less time consuming than people throwing their hat in the ring.

It might seem crazy. But James Hornick and Jeff Smith discussed whether or not we’re at the point of no return with job ads.

Thanks for reading!

- Matt Founder, CEO - Hirewell