The advent of technology has had a significant effect on the way that we look for a new job. Online recruiting can be a valuable tool for companies looking to streamline their recruitment processes, but it’s essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks and take steps to mitigate them when considering whether to use other resources or have the support of a specialist recruitment agency instead like Spotlight Recruitment.
The advantages of online recruitment
• It can potentially save you money
Lots of the aspects of traditional recruitment methods can be very expensive. Print adverts in specialist publications and events like job fairs can put a big dent in your budget. Comparatively, the costs of placing a job advert online are a lot more affordable but with no guarantees.
• It can speed up the recruitment process
Recruiting online allows you to work in real time – no more hanging around waiting for things to go to print or for events to start. Once your job ad is posted online it can be seen by prospective candidates within seconds. You can also withdraw your advert when you’ve received enough applications. But you can get inundated in a short space of time or struggle to get applicants without support.
• It allows you to reach more talent
There’s a distinct chance that your next employee is online. As of 2022, the internet user penetration rate in the United Kingdom was nearly 93 per cent.
• It makes life easier for applicants
Online recruitment platforms are designed to make applying for jobs easier. With a few clicks, you can upload your CV and supporting documents or verify the receipt of a contract or non-disclosure agreement.
• It’s a more flexible approach
Nothing is set in stone with online recruitment and this is an absolute game changer. It’s very easy to update your listing depending on the responses you receive or to extend a deadline if needed.
The disadvantages of online recruitment
• It can waste significant amounts of time
There is no guarantee of results when you go it alone with online recruitment. As you are managing everything from CV reading, shortlisting interviews, tasks, to reference checking – it can take significant amounts of time. A professional recruitment agency will take a large part of this work away from you and manage everything on your behalf. They will also have a plan B in case your first-choice candidate does not work out, so you don’t have to start from scratch when a job offer is rejected.
• It can attract the wrong candidates
A higher number of applicants means more unsuitable candidates as well as great ones. You can use filtering tools to hopefully minimise this but it’s still a consideration as large amounts of time can be wasted reviewing and interviewing candidates who are not suitable.
• You have to factor in technical issues
Technology doesn’t always work as planned, does it? Whether it’s a Zoom call that refuses to connect or an attached file that’s mysteriously disappeared from your email, these issues are an annoying part of working online. Managing recruitment from A-Z will mean any issues can hold up the process further and can be awkward to navigate yourself instead of an agency.
• It sometimes lacks the human touch
Nothing can replace the role that great people play in recruitment. When you speak to a candidate, you can pick up on a wealth of information that you won’t find out from reading a CV. When working with a recruitment agency, they will do all initial interviews and screening meaning those who you choose to interview will have already been vetted and selected for their highly relevant skills.
When considering whether to recruit online alone or to use an agency that will use the full range of online and digital access to finding the right people, focus on time. Do you have time to do everything yourself and could you be using that time in a more productive way for your business? Will it set you back if you have to start again when things don’t work out?