BellaOnline Forums Career Job Search Electronic Recruitment

Hello Diane and All out there,

What is your opinion about electronic recruitment?

For instance, do you think that companies are losing out on good skills and talent because computers don't allow much flexibility when accepting job-related documents?

Do you get frustrated at the lack of response to your emails?

Have you found it easier to get a job interview electronically that you did when you spoke to people or answered an advertisement personally?

There is a lot to discuss under this topic.

As a retired recruiter I wonder just how much is being lost - but as with life, I guess because of the capacity of electronics in modern business, much is also being found.

Anyway, I would be interested in any comments even if this is a never-ending topic...

Hi Lestie,

Great,great topic.

I remember when we did recruitment "manually." I'd receive hundreds of applications and needed to sift through them. I'll be honest, many times I never made it to the bottom of the pile. I'm sure I missed out on many, my great candidates.

Electronic recruitment has it's pros and cons. It goes through all of the applications. The cons, it only picks out key words. The applicant could be perfect for the position, but if they don't use the "key" words they are not selected.

Even though I feel for the job applicant, there just isn't enough time in the day to respond to every single application. Consider, not only the number of applicants, but the fact that many apply and don't come near qualifying. For example, the Taco Bell cashier, who had applied for a librarian position. They had a high school education and the only job they ever worked at was Taco Bell. The librarian job, however, required experience and a Master's Degree. The system often gets clogged with people who apply and don't qualify.

I do, however, get back to every candidate we do interview, to let them know that they didn't get the position. I think that would be even worse, to interview and NEVER hear anything.

I guess the bottom line for me is that they both have their draw backs and neither is perfect. I do believe, however, that more applicants are processed using electronic resources rather than by hand.

Electronic Recruitment does save on time and requires less personnel. But there are both pros and cons to this arrangement. A lot of us may not like submitting an online job application as we have no guarantees the hiring manager got our information. It is way of the future, so it is with us to stay. Great subject!