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As part of the Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey (REOS), we contact employers across Australia to learn about their recruitment experiences and activity. In a special mini survey, we asked employers how they go about recruiting for new staff with the skills and qualities they were looking for.
Did employers require an application or interview for their vacancy?
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
However, if you are applying for a position as a Technical Trade worker, a Professional or Manager or a Machine Operator or Driver, qualifications and experience continue to be important at the interview stage. Understanding these nuances can help job seekers write a good application or prepare for their job interview. For further information see the How Employers Recruit report below. Short factsheets are available for:
- Accommodation and Food Services industry
- Health Care and Social Services industry
- Retail Trade industry
- Labourers and
- Technicians and Trade workers.
Do employers always use an application and interview for their vacancy?
However, this picture changes when comparing responses by location, business size, industry or occupation. For example, at least 1 in 5 small to medium-sized businesses recruited with only an informal chat and/or interview but this drops to 1 in 20 for big businesses. Find out more in the How Employers Recruit report.
What did employers think was the most important part of the recruitment process?
Again, the emphasis varies depending on the type of job. Almost a quarter of employers in the Accommodation and Food Services sector cited that work trials were the most important part of the whole recruitment process. Around 12% of employers in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services sector believed a worker’s CV and résumés were the most important.
