The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) provides a standardized formula for calculating CPH: (External Costs + Internal Costs) ÷ Total Number of Hires. External costs typically include advertising fees, agency fees, technology tools, and background check expenses. Internal costs encompass recruiter salaries, employee referral bonuses, onboarding expenses, and internal training costs. It’s important to note that CPH can vary significantly based on industry, role level, and geographic location. For example, highly specialized roles or those in competitive markets will typically command a higher CPH.
Why Cost Per Hire Deserves Its Place in the List: For CHROs in the IN region, CPH offers crucial insights into the financial health of talent acquisition. It allows for data-driven decision-making, enabling you to justify budget requests, optimize spending, and demonstrate the value of the TA function to the organization. In a dynamic market like India, where competition for top talent is fierce, understanding and managing your CPH is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
Features and Benefits: The standardized formula offered by SHRM allows for consistent tracking and benchmarking. By analyzing CPH, you can identify cost-effective sourcing channels, negotiate better rates with agencies, and streamline internal processes. It facilitates cost-benefit analysis of different recruitment investments, helping you determine where to allocate resources for maximum impact.
Pros:
- Provides clear financial accountability for the recruitment function.
- Helps identify cost-effective sourcing channels and optimize spending.
- Supports budget planning and resource allocation.
- Enables cost-benefit analysis of recruitment investments.
Cons:
- Can lead to cost-cutting at the expense of quality if viewed in isolation.
- Accurately capturing all internal costs, including time spent by hiring managers, can be challenging.
- May not account for the opportunity costs of vacant positions.
- Doesn’t reflect the value of hires, only their cost.
Examples of Successful Implementation: SHRM reports the average cost-per-hire across industries is approximately $4,129. This provides a benchmark, although it’s crucial to remember industry and regional variations. Companies like Salesforce have successfully reduced their CPH by optimizing their employee referral programs. Deloitte, on the other hand, tracks CPH alongside quality metrics, like time-to-productivity and employee retention, ensuring balanced decision-making.
Actionable Tips for CHROs in the IN Region:
- Segment CPH by department and level: This granular approach helps pinpoint specific areas for improvement. For instance, the CPH for tech roles in Bangalore may differ significantly from that of sales roles in Mumbai.
- Track consistently over time and through economic cycles: This reveals trends and helps anticipate future recruitment costs.
- Analyze CPH by source: Determine which channels (e.g., job boards, social media, employee referrals) offer the best ROI.
- Include hiring manager time in calculations: This provides a more accurate picture of the true cost of hiring.
- Always view CPH alongside quality metrics: Avoid making decisions solely based on cost; consider time-to-fill, quality of hire, and employee retention.
By implementing these strategies and maintaining a holistic perspective, CHROs in the IN region can leverage CPH to build a more efficient, cost-effective, and ultimately successful talent acquisition function.