Graduates launch website to revolutionise recruitment industry

Today sees the launch of www.RecruitmentRevolution.com, the UKís first fully functional online recruitment agency. The concept, which aims to abolish exorbitant recruitment agency fees so that more money from the client can be directed towards the candidates, was devised by recent graduates Jamie Mistlin (27) and Anna Taylor (24) after their poor experience of recruitment agencies.

Co-founder Jamie Mistlin comments, ìThe concept for RecruitmentRevolution.com was born when I temped whilst studying for my degree: I was startled at the discrepancy between my hourly earnings and what the agency was actually paying for my services. It seemed obvious to reduce the middle man fee allowing the client to pay less, with the candidate also benefiting. Frustrated by the narrow minded approach of agencies, Anna and I felt that companies and clients needed a more transparent platform on which to communicate directly without a greedy and interfering consultant.î

As part of their research for the business model RecruitmentRevolution.com discovered:

- 95% of graduates resent the profits recruitment agencies make out of them

- 90% of graduates feel that agents do not act in the employeesí best interests

- 80% of graduates are rarely happy with the service provided by their recruitment consultant.

Traditionally companies have employed the following recruiting methods:

Recruitment agencies: a company pays an agency to market and manage the fulfilment of the role. Recruitment agencies charge a percentage of the employeeís starting salary. So for an average graduate earning 18,000, an agency charging twenty per cent can receive 3,600. Whilst a temporary worker might be earning 8 an hour, the client could be paying double that to account for the agenciesí commission.

Print and online advertising: companies advertise their vacancies and are required to manage the shortlisting, interviewing, and background checking of applicants. Guardian Jobs charge 950 for a 5cmx6cm print (80 words) including a one month online advert; alternatively, an online advert costs 700. Online job board Monster charge 950 for one month CV database access and 270 for one job posting lasting a month.

RecruitmentRevolution.com is starting a revolution by:

Allowing companies to advertise their jobs and search for candidates at no cost

Allowing employers to test and interview candidates before charging between 300 and a maximum of 1000 (average 400) for placing a permanent candidate, regardless of the starting salary

Adding a low flat hourly rate (little more than 2) for the supply of temporary workers

Enabling companies to book temporary candidates through a fully automated online system (the system also allows candidates to pitch different hourly rates depending on the job)

Applying an eBay-style feedback system (Online Reference Scoreô) to the temporary job market

The companyís lower fees are sustainable because RecruitmentRevolution.com does away with the high street recruitment costs and instead provides an online platform for companies and candidates to communicate directly. RecruitmentRevolution.com allows candidates to market themselves openly via their Online Reference Scores and Skills and History Portfolios so that the client can make an informed instant decision, without the need for a recruitment consultant.

RecruitmentRevolution.com ñ the process
Candidates, (students and graduates of all ages), register for free to display their Skills and History Portfolioô (a comprehensive CV), and access available jobs. Clients advertise their vacancies, inviting candidates to apply. These applications go straight to the clientís ëInboxí, again eliminating the need for a ëconsultantí; the client is then able to assess each candidate, viewing their portfolio, Online Reference Scoreô and, if necessary, conducting further online questioning, personality and skill testing. RecruitmentRevolution.com will arrange interviews at the clientís request. Alternatively, clients may ëheadhuntí candidates directly so that only the ëchosení are invited to apply for the position. The client only pays when a position has been satisfactorily filled.

RecruitmentRevolution.com operates a strict registration process whereby candidates are identity checked, referenced, and skills tested. RecruitmentRevolution.com operates a full PAYE agency facility.