New website recruitment solution for SMEs with cold feet

In order to attract and compete for new talent, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will need to operate an online recruitment process, so says Jerry Hoefkens, managing director of the e-recruitment solutions provider, AdvanSe.

Jobseekers now expect companies to provide career information, job details and the facility to apply online. Many SMEs have cold feet when it comes to implementing recruitment technology and taking the plunge.

That is why AdvanSe has launched a new bespoke Internet starter solution for SMEs. This solution provides online recruitment functionality without the need to advertise their vacancies on job boards.

Having an online recruitment process does not mean that SMEs have to change how they attract new employees. For many SMEs, press recruitment advertising works, and will continue to work, for the foreseeable future. For some, a mixture of offline and online advertising will produce the best response yield. However, irrespective of the media used by SMEs to attract applicants, it will be how they interact with the applicants during the recruitment process that will make all the difference in the future.

With the continuing shortage of quality applicants, SMEs will find it increasingly more difficult to attract and retain jobseekersí interest during the recruitment cycle, if they rely on traditional methods of communication.

We can provide SME employers with software tools to perform fast, flexible, yet professional applicant interfaces. These tools not only provide SMEs with a standardised and auditable approach to recruitment, including equal opportunities and data protection, their use opens up internal cost saving opportunities. More importantly, the job seekerís perception of the company he or she is applying to is greatly improved.

SMEs simply need to make two additions to their current recruitment advertising process. Firstly, they need to guide applicants to your website and/or have a managed response email address on their press advert. Secondly, they require a new button on your website saying ëjobsí or ëcareersí.

Linked to the ëjobsí or ëcareersí button is the AdvanSe ëvacancy managerí module. This consists of a website plug-in that allows jobseekers to search, list and view the same jobs that they have seen in the press. Employers are able to receive, review, manage, and analyse the response faster, thereby providing a better chance of securing the right candidate. For ongoing recruitment needs, the source, cost, quantity, and quality of applicants can be measured by media type, job title and many other metrics, to help SMEs work towards best value and the best practice for them.

Jobseekers now have the opportunity to either apply by email or apply online via an SME website in response to press advert. The management of the response is all-important and that is where the AdvanSe technology comes in.

Employers who have previously received email response to recruitment adverts will realise that a high percentage of response can be incomplete or inappropriate to their needs. For example, no CV attached, incorrect references to the jobs the applicant is applying for, no reply email address, etc. By interrogating all response and chasing down any missing information we turn an incomplete application into a viable candidate for the employerís review. This takes away all the frustration, and substantially increases the number of candidates, says Jerry.

By whichever means the response is sent, email or directly uploaded via the website, AdvanSe captures and records all the application details in a secure online CV store. The applications can either be forwarded by email immediately to a HR recruiter, a line manager, or be marked awaiting their review. Access to the CV store is available 24/7 and processing of all candidates can be managed online.

In short, the employer now has the means to manage, measure and review what works for their company and ensure that any future recruitment advertising spend is well spent.

The solution starts from 250 per month and can be ready to use within 48 hours.

No need for any more cold feet! coldfeet@advanse.co.uk