That might be true, but I've never been contacted this early in a process before - the application phase hasn't even finished yet. Recruiters know that if a better offer comes along the applicant will likely take it so I'm not entirely sure that time management is a key factor here. Even one of the recruiters in my team said she usually waits for the job ads to close before the culling begins. Mind you this is her process though, but she's the principal recruiter who only recruits executives.
Usually the higher up and worthiness of the role, where the recruiter/Hiring Manager has the upper hand, dictates whether they take their time more, that and Government with their absurd red tape (calling CURRENT bosses before offer regardless of whether candidate prefers it or not).
Usually, if the role is harder to fill or the candidate is the bomb, they need to get onto it. You are less likely to go to other interviews and accept similar offers once youve committed.
Hiring a harder to fill role like a hiab truck driver, you wait a week to call him that **** has already started a job elsewhere!
There are no set rules with any other this outside respective companies so it can never be said with any certain, but I guarantee you with all my heart that many hiring managers are cherrypicking and calling resumes since the beginning.
Especially internal recruiters because they often have
KPI's of role fill turnover time.
The fun part with those recruiters under pressure is when it comes to reference checking time, and how a bad reference can creatively become a good reference with a bit of re wording