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Another year, another whirlwind of job reqs, candidate calls, and hiring manager meetings.
But in between the deadlines and offer letters are the wins — and the lessons that make us better recruiters for next year.
Taking time to reflect helps celebrate what worked and improve what didn’t.
Why It Matters
Recruiting is part science, part art — and it’s easy to keep moving forward without looking back. Reflection helps teams:
- Double down on what delivered top talent fast.
- Identify roadblocks that slowed hiring.
- Capture insights that improve next year’s hiring strategy.
Without looking back, you risk repeating mistakes — and missing the chance to level up your process.
The Wins Worth Celebrating
Faster, Smarter Hiring
Maybe you cut your average time-to-fill by 10 days or implemented better intake meetings that got hiring managers aligned earlier. Those process improvements deserve recognition.
Candidate Experience Upgrades
Did you launch a new interview prep guide? Start sending thank-you notes? Boost your candidate survey scores? These moments build a better reputation in the talent market.
New Tools or Data
From sourcing platforms to assessment tools, technology that saved you hours or improved quality-of-hire is worth celebrating.
Surprise Successes
Sometimes the best wins are the ones you didn’t plan — like a referral program taking off or a passive candidate saying “yes” after months of relationship-building.
Lessons to Carry Forward
Where Did We Lose Candidates?
Look at stages with high drop-off. Was it timing? Communication? Compensation? These insights can prevent repeat misses.
Process Bottlenecks
Did interviews drag on too long? Were approvals slow? Identifying roadblocks now helps you adjust for next year.
What Feedback Did We Hear Most?
If candidates or hiring managers consistently gave the same feedback, it’s a sign that something needs attention — whether it’s job descriptions, interview training, communication, or scheduling coordination.
The Balance
Reflection isn’t about blame - it’s about building a better way forward. Celebrate the wins, acknowledge the challenges, and use both to create a smarter, smoother process going forward.
How We Help
At Connor & Gallagher OneSource (CGO), we help clients track hiring metrics, improve candidate experience, and make every year’s recruiting process better than the last.
Let’s Talk
Want next year’s hiring process to be your best one yet? Email recruiting@GoCGO.com and let’s set you up for success.
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