Applicant Tracking and why it can fail

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 by Exact Hire
I am the crash test dummy of applicant tracking systems.  Before I talk with an organization about the quality of their new hires or their screening and assessment systems I check out their web site.  I read their mission statement.  I try to get a feel for what an applicant sees and feels from the most important chair - the applicant's seat.

Most of the systems may be efficient for the organization, but few systems do two very important things.  They seldom project the values and attitudes of the organization, and the almost never ask me anything beyond what a basic resume has on it.  In fact, most allow me to simple paste my resume into a box and move on.

Sadly, all of the technology and effort is used to speed up a flawed process, rather than using the opportunity to change the rules and get a better answer.

If you could change the outcome to your current application system, what would you want as a better result?  Better job fit?  Faster time to good job performance?  A lean HR process?  EEO reporting with a single click?

Employer of Choice status is causing a storm of bad applicants

Thursday, October 16, 2008 by Exact Hire
Any port in a storm.  This economy is a "perfect storm" that will drive the future of hiring, and I'm focused on finding the best tools, from pre employment testing to EEO Reporting.  The arms race is back on, and we'll be reporting from the battleground for you.

The economy is affecting hiring in surprising ways. At a time where the volume of hiring is slowing, each hire becomes more crucial.  Before the downturn, there was a problem with people not telling the truth in the hiring process. Now, it gets worse.

As unemployment numbers start heading up, the pressure on screening and hiring systems increases.  Advanced applicant tracking and assessment tools that apply "LEAN HR" are part of the modern Human Resources software suite.  These tools are the first line of defense for an organization trying to maintain their "employer of choice" status.  Good human resource planning requires good support tools.

Admit it - the arms race of the hiring process had kind of slowed down.  Now, the race is speeding up again because of the combined forces of a slowing economy pushing unemployment up and organizations properly focused on building a high performing work force. 

Organizations must use proper talent aquisition to produce job fit, employee engagement, and great job performance.  At the same time, they must use whatever advanced tools they can find to keep applicants out of the process that are not sharing their true values and attitudes, and are simply trying to get inside an organization - any organization - and are willing to say whatever it takes to get there.

So, the arms race is on.  Let's keep a step ahead....I'm looking for links to good blogs and sites that might help - share them if you have them!