The Cutting Edge in Recruiting: Treat Candidates Like Human Beings

The results of the Staffing.org Second Quarter Staffing Index Survey are in, and at least from the perspective of job seekers and employees, things are not going well. The word from job seekers is clear: the cutting edge for recruiters and HR is without a doubt better candidate care. More than 80 percent of respondents were unhappy with their interview experiences. Two-thirds were dissatisfied with ongoing and follow-up communications, and again, two-thirds were dissatisfied with the recruiting function of hiring organizations.

ìItís hard work,î Burkholder said. ìToo many recruiters get caught up in ëfeeding the machineí and become ineffectual in their core job, which is building relationships that create a good pipeline of candidates of choice for open positions.î

Although more than two-thirds of employees are pleased with their work, roughly the same number are unhappy with their current management. And while more than two-thirds of employees are satisfied or very satisfied with their compensation and benefits, nearly the same numbers are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the rewards offered by their employer and available professional development opportunities. As a result, more than 60 percent of those currently employed are actively looking for positions elsewhere.

The results of the employer side of the Quarterly Staffing Index Survey are not much more promising. Although nearly 70 percent of Hiring Managers are satisfied with the quality of new hires, this is a nearly 2.5 percent drop over the same number last quarter.

Recruiting Efficiency dropped by more than two percent, and the correlating Recruiting Cost Ratio increased by two points. When expenses rise and efficiency decreases, the bottom line of any organization is bound to feel the effect.

One of the most surprising results in this round of survey results for employers, is the revelation that some 31 percent of respondents are measuring recruitment activity after it has happened. Measuring post-activity is an unfair means of judging the performance of both recruiters and HR.

ìI guess itís good theyíre doing something ñ but itís close to counter productive,î Burkholder said. ìItís like taking a test before you know the questions. Challenges and priorities are all over the place. But all of this shows opportunity for growth. There is no lack of ability to improve performance across all of the industries, but there may be a lack of will.

ìWhat we should all be most interested in is that we can, through these survey results, see trends. Some of the trends are going the right way. Others are not. From quarter to quarter there will inevitably be fluctuation, but making use of the metrics will lead to better performance, better efficiency, and a better bottom line for the organization.î

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