Keep Job Seekers Happy to Protect Reputation: Report

Organisations risk alienating prospective supporters through poor recruitment practices, new research suggests.

Figures released this month revealed that 84% of UK job seekers said the job application process often or sometimes negatively impacts their view of the organisation.  

The study, undertaken by Monster.co.uk, the UK arm of global job search engine Monster.com, saw 5,300 job seekers surveyed.

Of those affected negatively by recruitment practices, 82% of respondents felt this way because they had not received a response to their application and 68% because they had not received constructive feedback.    

Gripes also included poorly written job adverts (37%), a lack of information about the company (34%) and unfriendly or unhelpful staff (26%).

63% of those with negative experiences said their troubles would make them less likely to use the company’s products and services in future, while more than two thirds (68%) said they would let friends and family know about their negative experiences.

A fifth said they would share their gripes through social media.

Sinead Bunting, Head of Marketing at Monster.co.uk said it was important to acknowledge the role of recruitment practices in shaping perception of an organisation.

Job seekers could include prospective customers, or in the case of Not for Profits, prospective supporters and donors.

“It is worrying that so many employers still don’t realise the potential impact of a poor recruitment process on their brand. Job seekers are also consumers and by failing to respond, acknowledge or engage with them, employers could be losing out on valuable custom.

"Many companies are inundated with CVs but with the technology available today, it should be possible to ensure all applicants at least receive a friendly response,” she said.  

There was some positive news for those recruiting.

Almost two thirds of those surveyed (62%) of all respondents agreed that they sometimes or often come away from a recruitment process with a more positive view of the brand.

Following positive recruitment experiences, 65% would tell friends and family about their experiences and 51% would be more likely to use a company’s products or services.

Amongst those respondents affected positively by recruitment, job seekers were most impressed by a timely response to their application (68%).

Receiving constructive feedback (56%), the ability to apply online (56%) and well written job adverts (54%) were also appreciated by job seekers.