By Kara Porter
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April 29, 2025
Speed and quality are often viewed as competing priorities when hiring in the tech market. Hiring managers and talent teams face ongoing pressure to fill roles quickly, especially in candidate-short markets. However, bringing in the wrong hire can cost dearly in productivity, morale and retention. So, how can businesses scale teams rapidly without sacrificing quality? Is it possible to have both speed and quality in tech hiring? We think so—and here’s how. Why the trade-off exists The tension between speed and quality usually stems from a lack of clarity or preparation. Rushed processes often skip essential steps like cultural alignment, technical testing or stakeholder buy-in. On the flip side, overly meticulous processes risk losing top talent to faster-moving competitors. The sweet spot lies in structure, communication, and smart tooling. The cost of getting it wrong Hiring too fast, without due diligence, can lead to: Poor team fit and early attrition Productivity loss due to underperformance Reputational damage, especially in tight-knit tech communities. Meanwhile, moving too slow can result in: Lost candidates to faster companies Prolonged project delays Burnout among existing team members carrying the extra load. Strategies for speed and quality Define success up front Get clear on the must-haves vs. nice-to-haves for each role. Involve both technical leads and cultural stakeholders early. A well-aligned brief means faster shortlisting and better screening. Use pre-qualified talent pools Work with a recruitment partner that specialises in tech and already has deep, pre-screened networks. This cuts sourcing time and improves candidate experience from the start. Implement structured interviewing Use consistent questions and scoring frameworks across candidates. It removes bias, saves time and enables faster comparisons. Tech-enable your process Leverage tools like automated scheduling, coding platforms and AI-powered CV screening to reduce manual work without compromising assessment depth. Communicate with intent Regular feedback loops between hiring managers, HR and external partners speed up decision-making. Candidates also stay engaged when communication is proactive and transparent. Set SLA benchmarks Create internal SLAs for each stage of the hiring process. For example, resume review within 48 hours, interviews booked within 3 days, and feedback within 24 hours. These benchmarks help maintain velocity without losing quality. Pilot and iterate If your current hiring approach isn’t working, test new workflows. For example, trial a pre-interview technical screen instead of a live coding test. Track success rates and time-to-hire data to inform improvements. The Bottom Line Speed and quality don’t have to be mutually exclusive. With the right structure, clear expectations, and smart use of tools and talent partners, you can build a hiring engine that delivers both.