How StartX reduced their time-to-hire by 25%

StartX + VidCruiter

StartX has been working with VidCruiter since 2014 to create a more streamlined hiring strategy. We spoke with Amanda Dawson, People Operations Manager at StartX, to learn how upgrading to VidCruiter’s end-to-end recruitment suite in 2019 has helped them to centralize their hiring and automate manual tasks for an even more efficient hiring process.

About StartX

StartX is a non-profit startup accelerator and founder community focused on developing the missions of high-performing, high-potential entrepreneurs with connections to Standford University. Its community is made up of serial entrepreneurs, industry experts, tenured Stanford professors, and well-funded growth-stage startups. StartX provides startups with access to community mentorship, education, and resources, without taking equity from founders.

The Challenge

A hiring process that needed finessing to save time and improve workflows

StartX has used components of the VidCruiter platform since 2014 to hire full-time teammates, interns, and fellows at Stanford University, and in 2019 decided to explore how the platform’s additional capabilities could assist their hiring workflow. “I thought that we could make better use of the system and I could get some time back as my role was expanding,” Amanda told us. “Finessing our hiring process would not only benefit me and the team but also benefit the candidates too.”

At the time, StartX was interviewing primarily in-person but occasionally used video conferencing solutions when needed. “If we needed to connect with a candidate virtually, we’d have to use Zoom, set it up, and add it to the calendar link. It was a whole set of steps,” Amanda shared. Additionally, many workflows that could be automated were manual, such as figuring out availability for interviews and reaching out to references. For Amanda, who is a one-woman hiring team, this meant her much-needed time was being lost to low-value, admin tasks.

Within the hiring process, the team wanted more visibility into applicants, “We are a small team and by the time a candidate is hired, they’ve met nearly everyone. The whole team needs to be able to see the profile and add notes, ratings, etc.” Also, Amanda explained that they needed an easier way to review and compare interviews, “We operate a rolling interview process, so I would say it’s very important to document ratings. We are comparing not just at one time, but looking back to past applicants as well.”

The Solution

VidCruiter’s end-to-end recruitment suite for a streamlined workflow

Amanda and her team worked with VidCruiter to update their hiring process. Ultimately, StartX started using additional features such as automated scheduling, automated reference checking, and live video interviewing with structured interviewing.

Amanda explained their new process: “We have an application process where I do a resume screen or a profile screen. Then, a first video interview, which makes use of automated scheduling and built-in rating. This is followed by an “at home” assignment (a task aligned to the specific role). Next, we hold a second round interview that’s more focused on the particular role and then a final meet-the-team, where around four to eight people in the team are meeting with a candidate.” StartX also uses VidCruiter to automatically collect references within the platform without the manual work.