Managers: Stop Treating Hiring Like a “When I Get To It” Task
Early-stage hiring is hard. And I’ve seen firsthand what happens when it isn’t treated as a priority. During my eight years at Biggby Coffee, I started as a barista and eventually became Director of Operations. Along the way, I noticed a pattern that repeated in every location: managers often pushed hiring to the side until it became urgent… and by then, chaos had already set in.
Managers would say things like, “There are no applicants,” when in reality, the problem was a lack of structure and consistent follow-up. Applications sat untouched for days, sometimes weeks. Shifts were understaffed, stress levels rose, and the team struggled to meet customer expectations. Even the most experienced managers were caught in the cycle of responding to the crisis instead of preventing it.
The Cost of the "When I Get To It" Approach
The cost of this approach is real:
Open roles cost money. Lost productivity, overtime, and missed opportunities.
Decision-making suffers. Without timely information, managers rely on gut instinct rather than data.
Candidate experience declines. Top talent can get frustrated or “ghost” the process, leaving you with fewer quality hires.
Building Discipline and Structure
Over time, I learned that the key to avoiding this chaos is discipline and structure. Hiring can’t be another item on a never-ending to-do list. It needs:
Clear workflows: a repeatable process for every step, from screening to interview to decision.
Consistent follow-up: applicants shouldn’t be left waiting for days. Timely communication shows respect and keeps candidates engaged.
Tools that work: systems like Voysly automate repetitive tasks like resume screening and initial interviews, so managers can focus on human decisions.
When managers treat hiring as a “when I get to it” task, the system collapses, no matter how talented the team. But with structure, clarity, and tools that support consistency, hiring becomes predictable, efficient, and fair. Managers gain control, candidates feel valued, and the business runs smoother.
If you’re a manager struggling to keep up with hiring, the first step is making it a priority. Stop waiting until chaos rears its ugly head. Implement structured workflows, leverage smart tools, and treat every open role as critical. Your team (and your bottom line) will thank you.