Soundbites

01-Apr-2009

David Seear
Chief executive, Korus Recruitment Group
“Clearly the internet has revolutionised nearly all businesses. It’s amazing to think that only 15 years ago, very few people had email accounts and there were no established internet job boards. In those days, if you wanted to send out a CV to a client, you needed to fight for your place in the queue for the fax machine. There is no doubt, that the internet has provided a catalyst for dramatic service improvements for clients and candidates alike. But I think it also frequently provides an overload of information and therefore today, recruitment consultants need to be able to really focus on effective qualification skills to maintain high levels of service and effective candidate presentation.”

Madeleine Wachman
Manager, recruitment services, womenintechnology
“The internet and email have revolutionised the way we do business. For example, gone are the days of sending CVs through the post or by fax. Information is more readily available, allowing us to work quicker and more effectively, connect with a wider audience and do business internationally. However, this efficiency does mean that emails can sometimes replace phone calls and in a climate where strong relationships are all the more key, some personal contact through direct conversation is lost. Competition has also increased but this can be a good thing as recruiters have to work harder and smarter to win new business.”

 

 

Peter Burgess
Managing director, Retail Human Resources
“There has been as much misinformation about the internet and its effect on the jobs market as there has been information. Seven years ago I attended a conference, which was addressed by the HR director for Oracle who announced the imminent death of the recruitment industry. He was wrong then, and people who think the internet will kill off recruitment companies now are still wrong. The internet has not and cannot
address the simple truth that in most cases getting the best people is difficult. Nearly all of our advertising spend is now on line with only a limited amount going into print. I do not expect that to change. Is print dead? I don’t think so. Only people actively seeking a job go on line. Print is the tool to tempt those not looking.”