Your Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Data Template

Universal process mining template
Your Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Data Template

Your Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Data Template

Universal process mining template

This is our generic process mining data template for Recruitment & Talent Acquisition. Use our system-specific templates for more specific guidance.

Select a specific system
  • A universal framework for extracting your recruitment process data.
  • Recommended attributes and activities for robust process analysis.
  • A solid foundation, compatible with any underlying HR or ATS system.
New to event logs? Learn how to create a process mining event log.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Attributes

These recommended data fields are essential to include in your event log, enabling a comprehensive and detailed analysis of your Recruitment and Talent Acquisition process.
5 Required 8 Recommended 4 Optional
Name Description
Activity Name
ActivityName
The name of the specific task, step, or milestone that occurred within the recruitment process for a job application.
Description

This attribute describes a specific event or stage in the recruitment lifecycle, such as 'Application Received', 'Interview Scheduled', or 'Offer Extended'. Each recorded activity represents a point in time where the application's status changed or a significant action was taken.

In process mining analysis, the sequence of activities forms the basis of the process map. It allows analysts to visualize the actual flow of the recruitment process, discover common pathways, and identify deviations from the standard procedure. Analyzing activities is crucial for understanding the recruitment funnel, identifying where candidates drop off, and measuring the time spent in each stage.

Why it matters

It defines the steps of the process, allowing for the visualization of the recruitment funnel and the identification of bottlenecks or deviations.

Where to get

Found in event logs, status change records, or activity history tables related to job applications.

Examples
Application ScreenedInterview ConductedOffer Accepted
Activity Start Time
ActivityStartTime
The timestamp, including date and time, that marks the beginning of a recruitment activity or when it was recorded.
Description

This timestamp indicates the precise moment an activity occurred or was logged in the system. For activities that have a duration, this marks the start, while for instantaneous events, it represents the time of occurrence. Accurate timestamps are critical for reconstructing the chronological order of events for each job application.

This attribute is the foundation for all time-based analysis in process mining. It is used to calculate the time between activities (cycle time), the duration of specific stages, and the total time to hire. By analyzing these timestamps, organizations can identify delays, measure performance against service level agreements, and pinpoint opportunities to accelerate the hiring process.

Why it matters

This is the primary timestamp used to order events chronologically and calculate all time-based metrics, such as cycle times and total time to hire.

Where to get

Typically located alongside the activity name in event logs or transaction records within the recruitment system.

Examples
2023-10-25T10:00:00Z2024-01-15T14:35:10Z2023-11-30T09:15:00Z
Job Application ID
JobApplicationId
The unique identifier for a candidate's application to a specific job. This serves as the primary case identifier for the recruitment process.
Description

The Job Application ID uniquely identifies a single instance of a candidate applying for a job requisition. Each application process, from initial submission to a final decision like 'Hired' or 'Rejected', is tracked under this ID. It acts as the thread connecting all related activities, timestamps, and data points for one application journey.

In process mining, this attribute is fundamental for case analysis. It allows the tool to reconstruct the end-to-end process flow for each application, visualizing different paths candidates take. By grouping all events under a common Job Application ID, analysts can accurately measure case durations, identify bottlenecks in specific application lifecycles, and compare process variants.

Why it matters

This ID is essential for tracking each application's journey from start to finish, enabling the calculation of key metrics like Time to Hire and the analysis of process variations.

Where to get

Typically found in the main job application or candidate activity records in the recruiting system.

Examples
APP-2024-00123789456123R-98765
Last Data Update
LastDataUpdate
The timestamp indicating the last time the data for a specific record was refreshed or extracted from the source system.
Description

This attribute marks the date and time when the data was last synchronized or pulled from the source application. It serves as a metadata field that reflects the freshness of the information being analyzed. This is distinct from the activity timestamp, which records when the business event actually happened.

In a process mining context, this timestamp is vital for maintaining data integrity and understanding the recency of the analysis. It helps users know if they are looking at up-to-date information, which is especially important for ongoing monitoring and operational dashboards. It can also be used to filter out stale data or to trigger data pipeline refreshes.

Why it matters

This timestamp ensures users understand the freshness of the data, which is critical for the relevance and accuracy of ongoing process monitoring and analysis.

Where to get

Typically added by the data integration or ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool during the data loading process.

Examples
2024-03-15T02:00:00Z2024-03-14T23:59:59Z2024-03-15T05:30:00Z
Source System
SourceSystem
The name of the system or application from which the recruitment data was originally extracted.
Description

This attribute identifies the system of record, such as the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or Human Capital Management (HCM) platform, where the recruitment activities are managed and recorded. In environments with multiple systems, this field helps distinguish the origin of different data points, ensuring clarity and traceability.

For process mining analysis, knowing the source system is crucial for data validation and governance. It helps in understanding the context of the data and can be used to filter analyses to specific systems if multiple are integrated. This is particularly important during data preparation and when troubleshooting discrepancies, as it points to the correct place to investigate data quality issues.

Why it matters

It provides context about the data's origin, which is crucial for data governance, validation, and troubleshooting in multi-system environments.

Where to get

Often added during the data extraction process or available as a standard field in data warehouses.

Examples
WorkdaySAP SuccessFactorsGreenhouse
Activity End Time
ActivityEndTime
The timestamp indicating when a recruitment activity with a specific duration was completed.
Description

This attribute captures the conclusion of activities that span a period, such as an interview or a background check. While many recruitment activities are recorded as single points in time using a start timestamp, having an end time allows for precise duration measurement of specific process steps.

For process analysis, the end time enables the calculation of activity-level durations, distinguishing between waiting time and processing time. For example, you can measure the exact duration of an interview, not just the time between scheduling it and receiving feedback. This provides a more granular view of where time is spent and helps identify inefficiencies within specific tasks, not just between them.

Why it matters

It enables the precise calculation of the duration of individual activities, helping to differentiate between active processing time and idle waiting time.

Where to get

Found in event or activity logs, often in the same record as the start time, for systems that track activity durations.

Examples
2023-10-25T11:00:00Z2024-01-15T15:05:10Z2023-11-30T09:45:00Z
Application Source
ApplicationSource
The channel, platform, or method through which the candidate's application was received.
Description

This attribute tracks the origin of a job application, indicating how the candidate found out about the role and applied. Common sources include career websites, employee referrals, direct sourcing by recruiters, LinkedIn, or university job fairs.

This is a critical attribute for evaluating the effectiveness of different talent acquisition strategies. By analyzing the volume and quality of candidates from each source, organizations can calculate the return on investment for their sourcing channels. Process mining can show which sources yield candidates that progress furthest in the funnel or result in the most hires, helping to optimize recruitment marketing spend.

Why it matters

It is essential for measuring the effectiveness and ROI of different sourcing channels, helping to optimize recruitment marketing and strategy.

Where to get

Usually captured at the time of application submission, either through tracking links or self-reported by the candidate.

Examples
LinkedInEmployee ReferralCompany Careers PageIndeed
Application Status
ApplicationStatus
The final outcome or current disposition of the job application.
Description

This attribute indicates the final state of an application within the recruitment process. Common statuses include 'Hired', 'Rejected', 'Offer Rejected', or 'Withdrawn by Candidate'. It represents the conclusion of the process for that specific application case.

In process mining, the final status is crucial for outcome-based analysis. It allows for the filtering of process maps to compare the journeys of hired candidates versus rejected ones. This helps identify the 'happy path' and understand what process patterns lead to successful outcomes. It's also the basis for calculating key metrics like offer acceptance rates and candidate drop-off rates at different stages.

Why it matters

Defines the final outcome of each case, enabling analysis of what process variations lead to successful hires versus rejections or withdrawals.

Where to get

Found in the main job application record, representing the final disposition.

Examples
HiredRejectedOffer RejectedWithdrew
Department
Department
The business unit or department where the job position is located.
Description

This attribute identifies the organizational unit, such as 'Sales', 'Engineering', or 'Human Resources', that is hiring for the open position. It provides a way to structure the analysis of recruitment processes according to the company's organizational hierarchy.

Analyzing recruitment data by department is essential for understanding how hiring performance varies across the business. It helps identify which departments have the most efficient hiring processes and which may need support. This attribute is used to create departmental dashboards, compare KPIs like time to hire and offer acceptance rates between teams, and allocate recruiting resources effectively.

Why it matters

Enables analysis of recruitment efficiency and workload by business unit, helping to identify department-specific trends, challenges, and resource needs.

Where to get

Sourced from the job requisition or position master data associated with the application.

Examples
TechnologyFinance & AccountingMarketingHuman Resources
Hiring Manager
HiringManager
The name or identifier of the manager for whom the position is being filled.
Description

The Hiring Manager is the individual who ultimately makes the hiring decision and to whom the new employee will report. They are a key stakeholder in the recruitment process, responsible for defining job requirements, interviewing candidates, and providing feedback.

Analyzing process performance by Hiring Manager can reveal important insights into process efficiency. For example, it can highlight managers who are slow to provide interview feedback, leading to delays, or those who have very high offer acceptance rates. This information can be used to provide targeted training or support to managers to help streamline the overall hiring process.

Why it matters

Helps identify bottlenecks and delays related to specific hiring managers, such as slow feedback times, which directly impacts the overall time to hire.

Where to get

Sourced from the job requisition data associated with the application.

Examples
David ChenEmily Rodriguezfrank.miller@acme.com
Job Requisition ID
JobRequisitionId
The unique identifier for the job opening or position to which the candidate has applied.
Description

A job requisition is a formal request to fill a vacant position. The Job Requisition ID is the unique code assigned to this request, tracking it from approval through to fulfillment. A single requisition can have many associated job applications.

In process mining, this ID is a powerful attribute for aggregation and filtering. Analysts can use it to analyze the recruitment process for a specific role, compare the efficiency of hiring for different types of positions, or assess the total volume of applications per opening. It helps answer questions like 'Which job requisitions take the longest to fill?' and 'What is the average number of applicants per role?'.

Why it matters

It allows for grouping and analyzing all applications related to a single job opening, enabling performance comparisons across different roles or departments.

Where to get

Located in the job application record, often linked from the job requisition or position master data.

Examples
REQ-FIN-056JR-100523987654
Job Title
JobTitle
The title of the position for which the candidate has applied.
Description

This attribute specifies the official title of the job opening, such as 'Senior Software Engineer' or 'Marketing Manager'. It provides essential business context to the recruitment process, describing the nature of the role being filled.

Job Title is a critical dimension for analysis. It allows stakeholders to segment recruitment performance by role seniority, function, or specialization. For example, it can be used to compare the time to hire for technical roles versus administrative roles, or to analyze the effectiveness of different sourcing channels for executive positions. This segmentation is key to uncovering role-specific bottlenecks and tailoring recruitment strategies.

Why it matters

Provides crucial business context, enabling performance analysis and benchmarking across different job roles, levels, and functions.

Where to get

Sourced from the job requisition details associated with the job application.

Examples
Senior Financial AnalystProduct ManagerLead Data Scientist
Recruiter
Recruiter
The name or identifier of the recruiter or talent acquisition specialist responsible for managing the job application.
Description

This field identifies the primary individual from the talent acquisition team who is handling the recruitment process for a given application or requisition. This person is typically responsible for screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and communicating with stakeholders.

In process mining, the Recruiter attribute is key for analyzing team and individual performance. It allows for the creation of workload balancing dashboards, showing how many applications each recruiter is managing. It also enables the comparison of performance metrics, like time to fill or candidate quality, across different recruiters to identify best practices and areas for coaching or process improvement.

Why it matters

Allows for workload analysis and performance measurement of individual recruiters and the talent acquisition team as a whole.

Where to get

Typically found in the job application or job requisition records.

Examples
Alice JohnsonBob Smithcharlie.brown@acme.com
Candidate Type
CandidateType
A flag or category indicating whether the candidate is an internal employee or an external applicant.
Description

This attribute distinguishes between applicants who are current employees of the organization (internal) and those who are not (external). This is a fundamental segmentation, as the recruitment process, timelines, and policies often differ significantly for these two groups.

Analyzing processes based on candidate type is crucial for understanding internal mobility and external hiring effectiveness. Process mining can be used to compare the time to hire, cost per hire, and success rates for internal versus external candidates. This helps evaluate the performance of internal mobility programs and ensure that both hiring paths are efficient and effective.

Why it matters

Differentiates internal and external candidates, whose hiring processes often differ, enabling comparative analysis of internal mobility versus external hiring efficiency.

Where to get

Often derived by checking if the candidate's ID or email exists in the employee master data. Some systems may have a dedicated flag.

Examples
InternalExternal
Location
Location
The geographical location, such as city, state, or country, associated with the job position.
Description

This attribute specifies the physical work location for the job requisition. For remote positions, it might indicate a region or be marked as 'Remote'. This provides a geographical dimension to the recruitment data.

In process mining, location is a key attribute for regional analysis. It allows companies to compare hiring cycle times, sourcing channel effectiveness, and offer acceptance rates across different offices or countries. This can highlight regional differences in labor markets, recruitment team performance, or process compliance, enabling more tailored management and strategy.

Why it matters

Enables geographical analysis of recruitment performance, helping to compare hiring efficiency and challenges across different regions or offices.

Where to get

Found in the job requisition details associated with the application.

Examples
New York, NYLondon, UKRemote (US)Berlin, Germany
Offer Amount
OfferAmount
The proposed salary or compensation amount extended to a candidate in a job offer.
Description

This attribute records the monetary value of the compensation package offered to a candidate. It is a key piece of data in the final stages of the recruitment process. The value is typically recorded in a local currency.

In a process mining view, analyzing the offer amount can provide valuable context. It can be correlated with offer acceptance and rejection rates to understand if compensation is competitive. It also allows for analysis of compensation trends across different roles, departments, and locations. When combined with other data, it helps in evaluating salary benchmarks and ensuring equitable pay practices.

Why it matters

Helps analyze the competitiveness of compensation packages by correlating offer amounts with acceptance and rejection rates across different roles and locations.

Where to get

Sourced from the job offer records within the recruitment or HR system.

Examples
8500012000065000
Rejection Reason
RejectionReason
The specific reason provided when a candidate's application is rejected at any stage of the process.
Description

When a decision is made not to move forward with a candidate, a reason is often recorded. This can range from 'Not a culture fit' or 'Lacks required skills' to 'Position filled by another candidate'. This attribute captures that qualitative information.

Analyzing rejection reasons provides valuable feedback on the recruitment process and job requirements. By correlating rejection reasons with application sources or interview stages, organizations can identify issues such as poorly defined job descriptions attracting unqualified candidates, or inconsistencies in interviewer assessments. This helps in refining recruitment strategies and improving the quality of the candidate pool.

Why it matters

Provides insight into why candidates are disqualified, helping to refine job descriptions, improve sourcing quality, and identify potential biases in the screening process.

Where to get

Typically recorded by a recruiter or hiring manager when they update an application's status to 'Rejected'.

Examples
Does not meet minimum qualificationsBetter qualified candidates identifiedLacks relevant experienceHiring freeze
Required Recommended Optional

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Activities

These crucial process steps and milestones should be captured to ensure accurate process discovery and a clear understanding of your talent acquisition journey.
7 Recommended 8 Optional
Activity Description
Application Received
The process begins when a candidate submits an application for a specific job requisition. This is the first recorded event for a job application case and represents the entry point into the recruitment funnel.
Why it matters

This activity marks the starting point of the recruitment process, which is essential for calculating the overall Time-to-Hire and tracking total application volume.

Where to get

This event is captured from application submission logs or the creation timestamp of the application record in the primary recruiting or talent acquisition system.

Capture

Use the creation timestamp of the job application record.

Event type explicit
Application Rejected
The company has decided not to move forward with the candidate at any point during the recruitment process. This is the most common unsuccessful outcome.
Why it matters

This is a critical terminal event. Analyzing when and where rejections occur helps understand funnel drop-off points and the effectiveness of selection criteria at each stage.

Where to get

Captured when a recruiter or hiring manager updates the application status to a terminal 'Rejected' or 'Not Selected' state.

Capture

Identify the timestamp when the application status is changed to a final 'Rejected' disposition.

Event type explicit
Candidate Hired
The candidate has successfully completed all pre-employment requirements and is officially designated as hired. This is the successful end point of the application process.
Why it matters

This activity marks the successful conclusion of the recruitment lifecycle. It serves as the primary end event for calculating the Time-to-Hire metric.

Where to get

Recorded when the main 'Hire' business process is completed in the HR system or the candidate's final status in the recruiting tool is set to 'Hired'.

Capture

Use the effective date of the hiring transaction or the final status change to 'Hired'.

Event type explicit
Interview Conducted
A scheduled interview with the candidate has been completed by one or more members of the hiring team. This activity marks the end of a specific interview round and precedes a decision point.
Why it matters

This activity is essential for analyzing the duration of interview cycles, identifying delays between rounds, and measuring the time it takes to gather feedback.

Where to get

Often inferred based on the scheduled interview time passing or when a recruiter updates the application status after the interview has taken place.

Capture

Identify when the application status is updated to 'Interview Complete' or a similar state after the scheduled interview date.

Event type inferred
Offer Accepted
The candidate has formally accepted the job offer, signifying their intent to join the company. This is a primary success milestone for the recruitment process.
Why it matters

This is a key success event that directly impacts the Offer Acceptance Rate KPI. It triggers the final pre-employment and onboarding activities.

Where to get

Captured when a candidate accepts via an online portal or when a recruiter manually updates the application status to 'Offer Accepted' based on verbal or written confirmation.

Capture

Use the timestamp of the candidate's electronic acceptance or the manual status change to 'Accepted'.

Event type explicit
Offer Extended
The formal job offer has been officially communicated to the candidate for their review and consideration. This is a major milestone in the recruitment process, representing a formal intent to hire.
Why it matters

This is a critical point for measuring the time from application to offer. The duration between this and the candidate's response is key to understanding offer decision times.

Where to get

Recorded as an explicit event or a distinct status change when the offer is sent from the recruiting system, often with a corresponding timestamp.

Capture

Identify the event timestamp for sending the offer or the status change to 'Offer Extended'.

Event type explicit
Offer Rejected
The candidate has formally declined the job offer extended by the company. This is an unsuccessful end point that occurs late in the process.
Why it matters

This directly impacts the Offer Acceptance Rate KPI. Analyzing reasons for offer rejection can provide insights into compensation, benefits, or role competitiveness.

Where to get

Recorded as a distinct status change on the application or offer record, such as 'Offer Declined' or 'Rejected Offer', often with a reason code.

Capture

Use the timestamp of the status change to 'Offer Declined'.

Event type explicit
Application Screened
A recruiter or hiring manager performs an initial review of the candidate's application against the core job requirements. This activity serves as the first qualification gate in the process.
Why it matters

Analyzing the time taken for this step helps identify bottlenecks in initial application processing and assess recruiter workload. It also provides a view of the initial qualification rate.

Where to get

Typically inferred from a status change on the application, such as moving from 'New' to 'Under Review' or 'Screening'.

Capture

Identify the timestamp when the application status changes to an 'In Review' or 'Screening' state.

Event type inferred
Background Check Initiated
The pre-employment screening process, such as a background or reference check, has been started for the candidate. This typically occurs after an offer has been accepted.
Why it matters

This helps track the efficiency of third-party vendors and internal processes for pre-employment screening, which can be a source of delay before the final hire confirmation.

Where to get

Usually inferred from a status change on the application to a 'Background Check' stage, which often triggers a system integration with a screening vendor.

Capture

Detect the timestamp when the application status moves to 'Background Check in Progress'.

Event type inferred
Candidate Withdrew Application
The candidate has voluntarily removed themselves from consideration for the role. This can happen at any stage of the process.
Why it matters

This provides insight into the candidate experience and process duration. A high withdrawal rate may indicate a lengthy, inefficient, or disengaging hiring process.

Where to get

Captured when a recruiter updates the application status to 'Withdrawn' based on communication from the candidate, or when the candidate withdraws via a portal.

Capture

Detect the timestamp when the application status is changed to 'Withdrawn'.

Event type explicit
Feedback Submitted
An interviewer formally submits their evaluation, notes, or scorecard for a candidate following an interview. This is a critical input for the collective hiring decision.
Why it matters

This measures the efficiency of the feedback loop. Delays here can slow down the entire decision-making process and negatively impact the candidate experience.

Where to get

Typically captured as an explicit event when a feedback form or scorecard is saved and associated with the candidate's application.

Capture

Use the creation timestamp of the interview feedback or scorecard record.

Event type explicit
Interview Scheduled
An interview, either virtual or in-person, is officially scheduled between the candidate and the hiring team. This activity represents a commitment of time from both parties.
Why it matters

This is a key milestone indicating candidate progression. Tracking the time between screening and this event highlights scheduling efficiency and potential delays.

Where to get

Captured from an explicit entry in a scheduling system, a calendar integration, or inferred from a status change on the application to 'Interview Scheduled'.

Capture

Use the creation timestamp of the interview or calendar event associated with the application.

Event type explicit
Offer Prepared
An internal process is initiated to draft and approve the details of a formal job offer. This occurs after a hiring decision has been made but before the offer is sent to the candidate.
Why it matters

Analyzing the duration of this internal step can reveal bottlenecks in compensation review, legal approval, or management sign-off which are invisible to the candidate.

Where to get

Inferred from the application moving into an 'Offer Approval' or 'Draft Offer' stage, or from the creation of an offer object in the system.

Capture

Detect the timestamp when the application status changes to an offer preparation or approval stage.

Event type inferred
Onboarding Initiated
The process of preparing for the new hire's arrival has officially begun. This often involves a handoff from the recruitment system to a core HR or onboarding platform.
Why it matters

This marks the transition from recruiting to employee integration. Analyzing this handoff point is crucial for ensuring a smooth new hire experience and process efficiency.

Where to get

Captured when the candidate's record is moved to an onboarding module or their status is updated to 'Ready to Hire' or 'Onboarding Started'.

Capture

Identify the status change to an onboarding state or the creation of the candidate in the onboarding system.

Event type inferred
Phone Screen Conducted
A recruiter completes a preliminary phone call or video conference with a candidate to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit. This is often the first direct interaction with the candidate.
Why it matters

This activity tracks the efficiency of early-stage candidate engagement and measures the conversion rate from screened applications to qualified candidates moving to the interview stage.

Where to get

Usually captured when the application's status is updated to reflect that a phone screen has been completed.

Capture

Detect a status change to 'Phone Screen Complete', 'Passed Phone Screen', or a similar value.

Event type inferred
Recommended Optional

Extraction Guides

How to get your data for process mining.

Extraction methods vary by system. For detailed instructions,

read our ETL guide

or select a specific process and system.