| Exclusive insights straight from the Greenhouse Talent Acquisition team. Each month, our recruiters share the real tactics, lessons and behind-the-scenes strategies they use to keep hiring running smoothly – only available here in Modern Recruiter.
If your inbox has felt heavier lately, you’re not imagining it. Greenhouse platform data* shows a 17.5% increase in job applications from 2024 to 2025, and the average time an application sits in review is now 20.3 days – up 13.4% year over year. The message is clear: hiring volume is up, but recruiter capacity isn’t keeping pace.
So how do you keep things flowing when your pipeline starts to get backed up? Here’s some key advice from the Greenhouse TA team.
Triage the top of the funnel: Think of your inbox like an ER waiting room. Not every case needs immediate attention. “Candidate tagging and clear filters can help you spot qualified applicants faster,” says Seán Delea. Melissa Lobel adds that reviewing applications in two quick passes – first for must-haves, then for deeper evaluation – can save hours each week.
Verify what matters at the right time: When volumes spike, it can be tempting to rush through screening, but it’ll save you time later. “Only verify candidates who look qualified,” says Shannon Castleman, noting that tiering your process is key: light checks early on (especially over Zoom), then deeper steps like reference calls as candidates move forward.
Maintain transparency under pressure: “Consistent, honest comms go a long way,” says Seán. Even if you’re relying on automated messages, simple updates like confirming when an application was received can make a difference. Then, get more personalized as candidates move further along.
Lean on AI, but don’t overdo it: As Bronté Chappell puts it, “Use AI to reduce admin work – not the human touch.” Automation can summarize scorecards or craft follow-ups, but authentic relationships still close hires.
*Greenhouse platfrom data pulled in October 2025 |
