It’s a common scenario for recruiting sergeants: You get 100 initial applications. You schedule the physical agility test. Saturday morning arrives, and only 40 people show up.
Where did the other 60 go? They “ghosted” you.
This mid-funnel drop-off is often caused by the “Anxiety Gap.” The period between submitting an online form and showing up in person to perform physically in front of uniformed officers is intimidating. Doubt creeps in. Am I fit enough? What if I fail in front of everyone? Maybe I’ll just stay home.
To increase turnout, your agency must actively manage this anxiety through proactive communication.
Demystify the Process with Video
Fear of the unknown is the biggest driver of no-shows. Don’t just send an email listing the required push-ups and run times.
Send a text message with a link to a video showing the exact course they will run. Show real applicants doing it. Have a trainer explain exactly what counts as a “fail.” When a candidate knows exactly what to expect, their anxiety drops, and their likelihood of showing up increases.
Over-Communicate via Text
Email reminders get buried. Text messages get read.
In the weeks leading up to the test, use automated recruiting software to send regular nudges:
- 1 Week Out: “Hey [Name], your test is next Saturday. Here are some tips for preparing this week.”
- 3 Days Out: “Reminder: Hydrate well the next few days. We look forward to seeing you Saturday.”
- Morning Of: “Doors open in 1 hour at [Location]. See you soon!”
These small touchpoints show the candidate you are invested in their success, making them feel more obligated to attend.
Stop losing qualified candidates to test-day jitters. Safeguard Recruiting’s automation software helps you nurture applicants through the critical mid-funnel stages.
Schedule a demo to see how we increase test turnout.
