Hiring Freeze? Discover 12 Projects Recruiters Can Tackle to Make a Big Impact

A hiring freeze doesn't mean recruiters should be left in the dust. When you no longer have to spend your days sourcing and interviewing, you can shift your focus to making a bigger impact. You have a valuable skill set and business insights that can be used in many different ways. Now's your chance to work on the projects you've dreamed about while also positively impacting the business.

Don't let a hiring freeze hold you back from continuing to be an outstanding employee. We identified 12 projects recruiters can tackle to make an immediate impact on the business and better position your organization for when the hiring lull is over. You'll also find advice on how to communicate your efforts effectively to your leadership team.

During a hiring freeze, recruiters can still add significant value to the organization by focusing on impactful projects. Here are 12 projects that recruiters can undertake to make a difference during a hiring freeze:

1. Evaluate & Optimize Your Recruiting Tech Stack:
- Identify tools within your tech stack that don't add value during a freeze.
- Optimize tools to save time and money.

2. Advance Your Skill Set:
- Invest in professional development to enhance your skills.
- Focus on skills like engaging passive candidates, talent data analysis, and advising business leaders.

3. Train Employees to Be Brand Advocates:
- Empower employees to share positive stories about the company.
- Provide training on leveraging employer branding content.

4. Create Employer Branding Content:
- Highlight employees in content to promote the company.
- Showcase the company as a great employer to attract qualified candidates.

5. Partner with HR on Employee Engagement:
- Utilize exit interviews and stay interviews to improve employee engagement.
- Focus on areas that drive employees away and work on retention strategies.

6. Create a Plan for Backfilling Key Positions:
- Prepare for turnover during a freeze.
- Keep the talent pipeline warm for key positions.

7. Build a Recruitment Automation Plan:
- Automate recruitment processes for efficiency.
- Set the company up for success post-hiring freeze.

8. Elevate Your Career Page:
- Update career page content to engage candidates.
- Improve conversion rates for applicants.

9. Invest in Hiring Managers:
- Build strong relationships with hiring managers.
- Educate them on their role in the recruitment process.

10. Test & Improve Your Application Process:
- Simplify and streamline the application process.
- Identify and remove any barriers for candidates.

11. Write Better Job Descriptions:
- Optimize job descriptions to attract candidates.
- Include essential information like compensation details.

12. Go All-In on Social Media:
- Utilize social media for recruiting efforts.
- Plan a long-term strategy for promoting the employer brand and open roles.

By focusing on these projects, recruiters can continue to contribute meaningfully to the organization even during a hiring freeze.