Poor recruitment practices

[Robin Hills]

This is just to advise everyone about the poor recruitment procedures that I have experienced recently.

Using the links that Nigel has provided on the Main homepage under Opportunities Pt 2, I have sent my details to a number of organisations advertising for Associate Trainers.

Some companies (Oddball Training, Marcus Bohn and Phoenix Training) have sent me a response within a few days and we have had some pleasant correspondence. This creates a very good impression whatever the outcome.

Some companies have not even acknowledged receipt of my details. Three weeks after sending in my details, I called to make sure that my application had been received. One informed me that they won't be reviewing CVs until October at the earliest, whilst another said that they get so many applications they couldn't respond to everyone.

Having spent over five years in recruitment, I made sure that everyone received a personal reply informing them of our process. If there were reasons not to progress with the application each candidate was given a reason (compliant with legislation). I was busy like most people but this was important as it fitted my values and those of the company.

Some of these companies pride themselves in the quality of their marketing and management training. This is questionable if they are not able to practice what they preach!!

[Jeremy Russon]

Were these direct applications or to agencies ?

[Robin Hills]

Had the applications been through agencies I could have understood the low level of communication (although still not acceptable). The applications were direct using the contact details on the company websites!

[Jeremy Russon]

Robin

Apologies for not responding to your answer - I have just started a new role and it has taken up alot of my time as you can imagine ! You are right in your assessment of agencies which is unfortunate - I am part of a group that has just started a new IT sector agency and that is one of our key commitments - a minimum level of response should be an email saying "Thank you - we get a large number of applications so may not be able to reply individually to all....if you haven't heard in two weeks, etc".

I always work on the basis that the response should be at the same level as the application - eg someone who has taken two hours to attend an interview should have verbal feedback from one of the interviewers (and I think that should be from their potential line manager - not HR !!) and a written CV/application form (email or hand-written) should receive an email or letter.

The only time I do not respond is where the applicant has blatantly responded using an automatic application system - eg on Totaljobs you can send an automatic response based on a keyword search ! This shows no commitment to the company or job/career you have applied to.

Hope you have managed to find a suitable role.

Regards

Jeremy