Why has the average time-to-hire for candidates assessed through Karat's platform increased by 3 days compared to last quarter?

Introduction

The increase in average time-to-hire for candidates assessed through Karat's platform by 3 days compared to last quarter is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. This issue could impact client satisfaction, candidate experience, and overall platform efficiency. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying potential root causes, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be seasonal factors at play. Has this increase coincided with any particular time of year or industry events?

Why it matters: Seasonal trends could explain temporary fluctuations. Expected answer: No significant seasonal correlation identified. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on cyclical adjustments; if not, we'll dig deeper into internal factors.

• Considering potential changes in the candidate pool, have we seen any shifts in the types or quality of candidates being assessed?

Why it matters: Changes in candidate demographics could affect assessment times. Expected answer: Slight increase in senior-level candidates. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd investigate whether our assessment process is optimized for different experience levels.

• Thinking about recent platform updates, have there been any significant changes to the assessment process or technology in the last quarter?

Why it matters: Technical changes could inadvertently impact assessment duration. Expected answer: Minor UI updates, no major process changes. Impact on approach: If significant changes occurred, we'd focus on their impact; if not, we'll explore other internal factors.

• Reflecting on client feedback, have we received any reports of changes in hiring urgency or decision-making processes from our clients?

Why it matters: Client behavior directly impacts time-to-hire metrics. Expected answer: Some clients reporting longer internal review processes. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd investigate ways to streamline client-side processes and improve communication.