Modern Recruiting at Manor: Pre-qualified Applicants, New Channels, and High-Velocity Results

Practice insights on WhatsApp Recruiting, Candidate Experience, and the KPIs that truly matter in modern talent acquisition.

The Executive Summary for Decision-Makers

Over several years, applicant numbers at Manor had been steadily declining. Traditional application forms were increasingly leading to high drop-off rates, particularly for operational and frontline roles. To counter this, Manor introduced WhatsApp as an additional application channel and intentionally simplified the pre-qualification process.

The Result: Within just a few weeks, over 1,000 applications were received via WhatsApp. The impact was immediate: the first successful hires were realized as soon as the initial hiring cycle was completed. The new channel was rapidly embraced by both candidates and the internal recruiting team, proving that lowering the barrier to entry is the key to winning talent in a competitive market.

The Starting Point: When Standard Channels Are No Longer Enough

Alina Riccius, Head of Recruiting at Manor, describes the situation clearly: positions that used to attract 50 to 100 applications often receive only about ten today—sometimes without a single suitable profile.

This development varies by region. While the Romandie (French-speaking Switzerland) still sees a relatively high volume of applicants, regions in German-speaking Switzerland are significantly more affected. For the recruiting team, this had tangible consequences: unfilled vacancies led to increased pressure, and while Active Sourcing was used as a stop-gap, it was neither efficient nor sustainably scalable for high-volume operational roles. The central realization was clear: Classic recruiting channels alone no longer deliver enough qualified talent.

Decision Making: Why Smart Application Forms with PastaHR?

WhatsApp wasn't introduced at Manor just to follow a trend; it was a targeted response to a structural recruitment problem. The decision rested on three pillars:

1. Target Group Fit: Does the channel match the mobile-first lifestyle of operational talent?
2. Measurability: Can the channel provide a clear, trackable contribution to hiring goals?
3. Integration: Can it work within the existing SAP SuccessFactors ecosystem?

For operational profiles who search for jobs on mobile and have little time for long-winded processes, WhatsApp offered a decisive advantage. Crucially, Manor wanted to avoid creating a "parallel world" of data. The application path had to be fully embedded in their existing ATS. PastaHR was chosen specifically to complement, not replace, the existing infrastructure.

Implementation: Lean Applications & Clear Pre-qualification

A central success factor was the design of the pre-qualification flow. Instead of confronting candidates with document uploads and extensive forms at the very start, the entry point was radically simplified.

In the first step, only the information necessary for an initial decision is requested—such as location, availability, or core "knock-out" criteria. CVs and further documents are only requested later in the process. This logic lowers the barrier to entry significantly without sacrificing structure or decision quality.

Manor’s experience shows: Pre-qualification works best when it remains focused and doesn't try to front-load the entire selection process.

Internal Adoption: Usage Drives Impact

Beyond the technical setup, the involvement of the recruiting team was vital. From day one, PastaHR was treated as a core component of the process, not an optional add-on. Training and clear expectations helped anchor the channel in daily operations.

As the first successes became visible, team adoption surged. Recruiters began investing more time into the new channel because it was clear that it didn't just bring in "leads"—it brought in actual placements.

The Results: Tangible Transformation

Just three to four weeks after launch, the impact was undeniable. Even before the channel was rolled out to all open positions, Manor received over 1,000 applications via WhatsApp.

• Fast Results: The streamlined pre-qualification meant candidates moved through the funnel significantly faster. Manor saw the first successful hires made via WhatsApp shortly after the initial hiring cycle.
• Quality & Feedback: Candidate feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many applicants actively thanked the team for the uncomplicated WhatsApp option.
• Acceptance: Negative feedback was non-existent, while acceptance among hiring managers and recruiters rose significantly as the talent pipeline filled up again.

Success Measurement: What Defines Impact?

The success of a new channel isn't just measured by the "buzz" at launch, but throughout the entire hiring cycle. In the early weeks, Manor focused on indicators like Application Starts, Response Times, and Conversion Rates. With time, the focus shifted to the quality of hires and the reduction of manual administrative overhead.

The key takeaway? WhatsApp should not be viewed in isolation, but as an integrated, high-performance part of the holistic recruiting strategy.

Conclusion: Output Over Actionism

The Manor case demonstrates that recruiting success can be measurably increased when new channels are used strategically. The transition from launch to active hires happened with remarkable speed, driven by a combination of clear pre-qualification, clean system integration, and consistent team execution. Modern recruiting doesn't mean "changing everything"—it means making targeted improvements where they matter most.

"For us, it was crucial that WhatsApp didn't just bring in applications, but integrated cleanly into our existing systems and remained efficient for our team to use."— Alina Riccius, Head of Recruiting & Employer Branding