It all boils down to one question: Will the employer-employee match work out? The answer can generally be predicted using the right quality of hire metrics.

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How to measure quality of hire in a meaningful way

Article posted on Aug 3, 2026

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Success. Specifically, employer/employee success stories are what hiring is all about. Those matches are hard to make, though, which is why determining the right quality of hire (QoH) metrics is essential. These metrics aren't universal, so it can be hard to figure out what will work, but doing so will help you more accurately predict your business's future. You simply need to read between the lines to find the story they are telling you.

Would you like to share some information about QoH metrics with your team? This infographic should help.

Confidence & potential in measuring QoH metrics

Did you know that just one quarter1 of employers surveyed by LinkedIn report feeling highly confident in their QoH measurement ability? That's interesting, as three-quarters of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition professionals feel QoH is the top priority.6 Some 2026 employers are turning to AI to improve the measurement process; 61%1 to be exact. However they're measuring, most believe it's worth prioritizing.

What do QoH metrics mean?

"Quality of hire: the performance of an individual after hire compared to pre-hire expectations."5

While the phrase "quality of hire" includes the word "hire" and leans toward being defined as a measurement of candidates themselves, it's not just that. If measured fully, QoH metrics should include both pre- and post-hire data, showing positives and negatives present in the hiring process itself.

You need to amass enough data to make it statistically relevant, allowing you to recognize those important insights clearly.

How to build your own QoH measurement formula

1. Create an employer brand that increases your QoH

While you can't measure employer branding's efficacy definitively, a strong employer brand tends to influence the QoH2 in that more individuals who want to engage in a meaningful career will join a company, positively skewing numbers. So the lesson here is ... build a strong employer brand!

Related resource: If you are interested in creating or improving your employer brand, read How a strong employer brand can help you win talent.

Make holistic QoH metrics choices

"Measuring quality of hire works best when it balances data with manager feedback."4

When you build your unique formula, consider both pre- and post-hire metrics4. These are some that may work for you as a starting point:

Pre-hire metrics to track

  • Source yield (see which activities are bringing in quality)
  • Time to fill
  • Time to hire
  • Cost per hire
  • Hiring velocity (filling on time)

Post-hire metrics to track

  • Time to productivity (ability to function independently in the role)
  • Onboarding survey scores (satisfaction from the point of view of the employee)
  • Performance ratings (measure versus others in the role and at the company)
  • Job performance (Can handle responsibilities, earns strong sales numbers, completes projects, etc.)
  • Retention

Other metrics you may be interested in using to measure QoH

The following4 are mostly flexible, and business priorities are individual, so you will determine the weight you place on each area and average out a score from there.

  • Performance reviews
  • Cultural fit score
  • Job performance
  • Employee engagement
  • Turnover rate
  • Teamwork
  • Growth potential

Remember, your sector, industry, organizational individuality and the roles you hire for5 should be taken into account. Pick your own metrics that influence your bottom-line outcomes.

Use the right tools

While we certainly don't recommend AI in every situation, crunching numbers using AI is an excellent way to deduce patterns, as is automating confirmation emails, initiating onboarding prompts and more. Speed and, therefore, a better experience can be recognized from these choices without losing the human touch.

Why picking the right QoH metrics to measure matters

While it can be daunting to choose your metrics, lots of essential information can be gained by measuring QoH. For example, these five questions from Indeed4 are ones employers can gain distinct value from:

  1. Which sourcing methods bring in the strongest candidates?
  2. Are there ways to reduce recruiting costs without affecting results?
  3. How can we improve candidate selection at each stage?
  4. Which skills or attributes lead to better long-term performance?
  5. What steps help us consistently choose high-performing employees?

After you have answers, you can take intentional steps to refocus your efforts and improve your score.

If you're struggling to measure or improve your QoH numbers, connect with Beacon Hill. We offer expert consultative services that boost business outcomes.

Sources and inspiration

  1. The Future of Recruiting 2025: How AI redefines recruiting excellence
  2. LinkedIn Data: What Candidates Say They Want vs. What Their Actions Reveal
  3. How to Measure Quality of Hire, According to 4 Experts
  4. The Ultimate Guide to Improving Quality of Hire: Metrics and Strategies
  5. How to Measure Quality of Hire to Drive Business Results
  6. 5 ways to improve quality of hire in your organization

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