CV databases - the future?
There has been a lot of talk about CV databases replacing job ads as the primary method for sourcing candidates via job boards. I have to say, I disagree with this. Most boards have direct employers as clients and more of them are using the databases. If you knew your employer recruited online how likely would you be to put your CV where they could stumble across it?
Anyone else have a view on this?
April 20th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
From a pure contingency Recruiter perspective we need both job ads and DB searching to get access to our candidates. Boards like Jobsite state that anything up to a 1/3rd of their Candidates restrict their contact details from being proactively searched by recruiters to stop the flood of 40 calls on the 1st day. We can only get access to them if they apply to one of our adverts.
I personally wouldn’t feel too comfortable putting my CV on a DB if I knew my employer searched on it, but the question is how many employees actually would know?
What rules do Job boards have in place to prevent employers from searching for their employees? Also, I know that Data Protection means that in theory they would be unable to use the information, but in practice what is to stop them using the knowledge to performance manage someone out once it is clear that they might be looking?
The flipside, I guess, is that if you are a good candidate and are considering your options and your boss finds out, you might get a counter-offer before even going through the pain of interviewing for a new role…!!!
April 23rd, 2007 at 6:56 pm
You find that people like to use a different mix of media depending on the stage of the job hunting process they are at. We did some research with Yahoo last year - from this we found the following.
Above the media - friends, family and networks tend to be the most important factor when looking for a job.
I want a job - this does not tend to be influenced by media, unless it is a great opportunity they stumble on.
What jobs are out there - job postings and search engines are the most important media at this stage.
Application - again media does not have a strong influence at this stage; often advice and information on the company accessed through search.
Interview - the only real media used is search/social networking sites to find out about the company.
Do i want the job? - social networking is the main media influence.
People also tend to feel in control of the process when using search/job postings - thus they like using it. Thus for a good communication strategy you should manage people through the process - they expect you to be around and if you are not the competitors will be happy to pick up the candidates.
CV access tends to be used by those people who are highly active (for a short period of time) and those people who are always looking. Using CV only you will miss a lot of great people.
I think most job boards allow you to block your employer from seeing your CV - but i could well be wrong as i dont use CV access. Also if they do find you they should not do anything about it - legally they can not stop you from looking for a job. That is not saying it could make life a little difficult …
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Good question Dan, and no it’s not the future. Many companies, globally, are focused on driving candidates to their own private resume/CV database not a third-party board db. This allows companies to build their very own world-class database, instead of going back to the same old well and paying higher $$ every year for a third party’s db.
Leading facts and questions -
Facts:
1) Resume/CV databases are great for instant access to possible available talent, although not everyone adds themselves into said databases.
2) The passive seeker populace is much larger than the active seeker populace.
Questions:
1) How are hiring companies connecting with the much larger passive seeker populace?
2) How are hiring companies driving the, active and passive, candidates back to their corporate career site to capture application?
Search Engine Marketing is starting to heat up, high profile companies like Boeing and Home Depot are using Google and Yahoo! to better target prospective candidates, while starting the slide away from large job posting spends. This provides the ability to better geo-target and keyword target active and passive candidates globally, moreover a platform predicated on performance, Pay Per Click (PPC).
Do I believe job boards and third party CV db will be gone tomorrow? Not a chance, they still provide and broker a good amount of active seeker traffic and active seeker CVs, although it will be necessary they understand and evolve according to the market needs.
Web 2.0 here we come….
April 26th, 2007 at 3:07 am
Ah ha! The newest comscore metrics, below, are out and show job boards in Europe provide about 25% market penetration. How are employers going to penetrate the other 75%?
Read prior comment…
http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=1409
…and someone check my math ;o)
April 26th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
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