National Online Recruitment Awards 2009 - Results

The results of the National Online Recruitment Awards 2009 have been announced. Held in association with Perms Connect, this was the ninth annual NORAs, which aims to recognise the very best recruitment websites in the UK from a candidate user's perspective.

This year almost 25,000 nominations were made from jobseekers for 654 websites. These nominations included feedback from the job-seeking candidates on why they prefer these websites. Aided by a panel of industry expert judges* the number of sites were reduced to a shortlist of 66 Finalists in twelve award categories. These Finalists websites were then stringently assessed from a candidate users point of view to arrive at the winners.

The awards process began in July and finally culminated in the NORAs event, held in the exclusive Orchid London venue, in Piccadilly last Thursday night (5th Nov). In total, the event hosted over 300 professionals all involved in the recruitment and online recruitment technology and advertising industry, eager to find out which sites would triumph.

Stephen O'Donnell, of AlljobsUK.com and 1Job.co.uk, who originally conceived and devised the awards in 2000 and who heads up the event, said: To the Finalists, I want to offer my sincere congratulations. Given the extremely competitive nature of this sector, and the profile of the UK recruitment at the moment, it's a real achievement to be considered one of the best in the country. I believe the shortlist of award Finalists represents the very best in online recruitment in the UK today. By throwing a spotlight on the very best, these awards aim to encourage continuous improvement by all of us particularly for the candidate users of our sites.

Julian Felstead M.D. of 1Job.co.uk added: Those who run recruitment websites, work daily to try and meet the needs of not only candidates, but also of those who are recruiting. The past year has seen a seismic shift in the balance between the two, and there are now far greater numbers of candidates pursuing at least 45% fewer advertised jobs. This presents us all with new challenges, and requires us all to continually look to improve our websites and systems. The speed of change is not slowing in the online recruitment sector, and the cost of failure is high. However, what we have here, in the shape of the NORA finalists and winners, are those that have excelled in catering for candidates.

The NORAs are organised and run by AlljobsUK.com and 1Job.co.uk. Both of these websites are in the business of delivering jobseekers directly to where the vacancies are advertised on the most popular recruitment websites in the UK.

The winners of the National Online Recruitment Awards 2009 are:
1. Best General Jobsite - www.jobsite.co.uk
2. Best Specialist (Niche) Jobsite - www.retailchoice.com
3. Best Regional Jobsite - www.key103jobs.co.uk
4. Best National Recruitment Agency Website - www.rhr.co.uk
5. Best Small Recruitment Agency Website - www.mccarthyrecruitment.com
6. Best National Employer's Website - www.armyjobs.mod.uk
7. Best Small Employer's Website - www.join.gcsltd.com
8. Best Online Recruitment by a Consumer Publication - www.jobs.guardian.co.uk
9. Best Online Recruitment by a Trade Publication - www.drapersjobs.com
10. Best Employment Advice Website - www.careerplayer.com
11. Best Newcomer in Online Recruitment - www.careerplayer.com
12. Best Innovation in Online Recruitment - www.twitterjobsearch.com

* Judging and Selection Panel:
Emma Mirrington BSkyB
Luke McKend Google
Helen Reynolds HB RIDA
Jim Tanfield Recruitment Consultant Magazine
Louise Triance UK Recruiter
Dan McGuire Broadbean Technology
Tom Atkinson Perms Connect
Stephen O'Donnell AlljobsUK.com
Andy Headworth Sirona Consulting
Alan Whitford Abtech Partnership
Matt Alder Penna Barkers
Alex Hens 3D Marcomms
Steve Evans Media Figures
Paul Harrison Carve Consulting
Ben Nunn Thirty Three