Value of a High-Touch Process
High-touch is about density of contact. As a startup with limited time and resources, every interaction needs to count. A fast process is ideal, but when delays happen—fundraising, sales calls, or a sick interviewer—you need a plan. How will your company stay top of mind with a promising candidate? Here are a few of my favorite tools and tactics.
<2 Week Interview Process
⏳ Speed matters. Data shows a steep drop-off in offer acceptance rates once an interview process drags past 14 days.
If you can’t move that fast, find passive touchpoints—like emails—to keep candidates engaged. Don’t let silence do the talking for you.
Set Aside >15% of Every Call for Candidate Questions
💡 Recruiting is a two-way street, especially if you don’t have an established employer brand. The best candidates will vet you as much as you vet them, and their questions will tell you what they care about most.
Be Transparent About Expectations
(Not just your high hiring bar.) Set clear expectations in the first screen to avoid surprises:
📅 Timeline – How long the process will take
🏁 Steps – What to expect at each stage
⏳ Time Commitment – How much time interviews will require
🤝 Expectations – This is a respectful, two-way conversation
🔄 Flexibility – You’re a startup; interview steps may shift, so set that expectation from the start
Clear expectations build trust and reduce candidate frustration.
Keep Candidates Engaged Between Interviews
Delays happen. Stay top of mind by reinforcing excitement with shareable content.
Product Insights
📌 Customer Testimonials – Share Reddit threads, G2 reviews, or organic LinkedIn posts
📌 Short Product Demo Clip – A 2-minute highlight reel from a sales call
Company & Culture Resources
📌 Public Notion Pages or PDFs with:
💌 A note from the founder/team lead – “Why this role matters” and “What it’s like to work with you”
📜 Company Values document – What drives your team
📊 Benefits summary – Transparency matters; this can help offset a lower base salary vs. FAANG
Giving candidates more context between interviews strengthens engagement—without adding more calls to your plate.
Still unsure about the Value?
If you’re unsure when to introduce these resources or how to build a high-touch, adaptable recruiting strategy, we can help. Contact us for a Discovery Call—we’d be happy to offer guidance.
