The How Employers Recruit report is based on additional questions that temporarily join the core Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey.
The research focussed on what employers commonly looked for in applicants at the application and interview stages of the recruitment process. The analysis presents findings about recruitment steps and preferences, including how these varied by location, business size, industry, and occupation.
Around two-thirds of respondents preferred a ‘conventional’ recruitment process, where candidates submit an initial application and are then subsequently interviewed. A surprising 22% of employers used only an ‘informal’ chat and/or interview. This can occur when a jobseeker directly approaches an employer looking for work and is assessed on the spot for the role, or after a followup formal interview, foregoing the application process. The use of informal chats and/or an interview only was higher in regional areas where 26% of respondents had forgone an application when they last recruited.
A significant number of employers reported that the interview was the most important part of the whole recruitment process, with employers still prefering in-person interviews, whether formal or informal approaches.
An employer’s objective changes from the application to the interview, meaning that a jobseeker also needs to change their focus to be successful in their quest for a job.
Application stage
- Relevant work experience and skills
- Qualifications and licences
- Availability
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Willingness to learn
Interview stage
- Approach and attitude to work
- Cultural fit
- Skills, knowledge and experience
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Personal values
At the application stage, employers are screening potential candidates with half of the respondents citing they looked for evidence that applicants possessed the relevant experience and skills for the position. Over a quarter of respondents cited looking for the right qualifications and/or licences in a candidate in the application stage.
At interview, the focus shifts to an applicant’s interpersonal and employability skills. Almost half of employers saying that a candidate’s approach and/or attitude to work was important to them, closely followed by cultural fit including personality and look.
You can find out more about How Employer Recruit by downloading the report or accompanying factsheets.
