![](https://www.refassured.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Team-Directory-Hero-Image-scaled-1.jpg)
How Aplin re-allocated hundreds of reference checking hours over the first 90 days to streamline their workflow and live their mission of “creating value at every opportunity."
Since Aplin started using RefAssured
Reduced the time to complete a reference by
87%
References Opting in as Candidates
19%
References opted to learn more about Aplin's hiring services
4%
Problem Statement
Taking an even deeper dive, and following the trend of digital transformation, Aplin embarked on a comprehensive review of their technology stack to ensure they were set up for growth. Aplin discovered they wanted to build a true end-to-end system (from initial candidate engagement through to accounting. From these reflections a strategic decision was made: It was time to move to a new and integrated Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
For Aplin, they chose an ATS that offered a diverse partner ecosystem for the opportunity to integrate and further simplify data capture, yet there was still one process that remained quite manual: Referencing.
Objectives
Aplin will note that references provide key insights into candidates’ past work performance, and are a tool to not only verify but present the best talent to their clients. In fact, the referencing step is an irreplaceable part of their process, and they ascribe it as a partial reason why they’re able to deliver consistent, quality outcomes, again and again.
“For the professional placement space, whether it’s perm or contract placements, it’s not just about that person’s technical capabilities,” said Nikki Palmer. “There is a lot more beyond what’s in a resume that makes the right match, and that’s where the expertise of our amazing team comes in.”
With a strong emphasis on optimizing processes to create quality, trust, and reliability for both their clients and candidates alike, the Aplin team has always been steadfast in striking an ideal balance between two important aspects: How they nurture the human connection and how they can use technology to solve for automatable tasks. In this regard, when it came to reference checking, the manual aspect and hours needed to complete this critical step made this part of their process a great candidate for automation.
Implementation
After selecting their new ATS, Aplin evaluated integrations that would enable them to focus on those direct interactions with clients and candidates. Through the ATS’s partner network they began a limited pilot program with RefAssured to automate their reference checking process.
It was a seamless addition to their recruitment process, and in just a few months with the help of RefAssured, the Aplin team almost immediately began to save and redeploy hundreds of their people-hours on other priorities like building relationships with clients and candidates.
“While we can’t automate everything, we focus on the areas where automation can make the biggest impact. RefAssured has already delivered by saving time for all stakeholders, providing far more accurate and transparent candidate insights, and becoming one of our favorite networking tools for generating new client and candidate relationships.” – Nikki Palmer
![](https://www.refassured.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Nikki_Palmer_3.png)
Nikki Palmer
Director, Technology Enablement
Aplin
While we can’t automate everything, we focus on the areas where automation can make the biggest impact. RefAssured has already delivered by saving time for all stakeholders, providing far more accurate and transparent candidate insights, and becoming one of our favorite networking tools for generating new client and candidate relationships.
Results
Through the introduction of RefAssured, Aplin has standardized the reference checking process. Better yet, RefAssured’s simple workflow and friendly UI not only made presenting reports to clients easier, but our innovative platform also helped differentiate Aplin as a first-choice provider. In fact, after receiving such positive results in the first 90 days, Aplin decided to roll out the software to their entire team with the activation of the fully integrated ATS app. The outcome?
“While we can’t automate everything, we focus on the areas where automation can make the biggest impact. RefAssured has already delivered by saving time for all stakeholders, providing far more accurate and transparent candidate insights, and becoming one of our favorite networking tools for generating new client and candidate relationships.” – Nikki Palmer
- More hours saved
- Quality staffing results, and
- Better engagement with all those they serve
Additionally, due to Aplin’s high volume of references, another huge RefAssured benefit was the generation of passive candidate and client opt-ins with just a few clicks. Aplin was able to convert 19% of reference givers into passive candidates and 4% of reference givers into possible sales leads.
Conclusion:
After selecting their new ATS, Aplin evaluated integrations that would enable them to focus on those direct interactions with clients and candidates. Through the ATS’s partner network they began a limited pilot program with RefAssured to automate their reference checking process.
It was a seamless addition to their recruitment process, and in just a few months with the help of RefAssured, the Aplin team almost immediately began to save and redeploy hundreds of their people-hours on other priorities like building relationships with clients and candidates.
About Aplin
Aplin is a private, family and employee-owned Canadian corporation founded in Alberta in 1975. An award-winning staffing and recruiting agency that stands apart for quality results, we have proudly fulfilled talent demands and advanced careers for over 45 years. Aplin’s search services include Temporary & Contract Staffing, Permanent/Direct Hire Search, IT Recruitment and Managed Services. Aplin's mission is to create value at every opportunity in all interactions with our clients, candidates, colleagues, and even our communities.
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