In-house recruiters ‘stuck in administrative mode’

Nick Elvin

In-house recruiters spend nearly two hours each day on administrative tasks, according to a study conducted by talent management software provider Cornerstone OnDemand.

A recent Cornerstone European focus group of 53 in-house recruiters revealed the administrative hours could have both productivity and financial ramifications for businesses, with the accumulated time equating to more than an entire work day each week in lost time.

While administrative tasks keep in-house recruiters busy, they are not the most time-intensive. Nearly half (44%) reported that searching for candidates takes up most of their time, followed by reviewing CVs and applications (22%), and conducting interviews (18%).

The research found that in-house recruiters would like to incorporate more “recruitment hacking” techniques – the concept of using technology, shortcuts and new ideas to automate tasks, eradicate low-value activities, and focus on activities that help them find and hire the right talent.

“Recruiters tell me that it’s becoming a candidate-driven market, and finding talent is becoming harder all the time,” said recruitment expert Peter Gold, who worked with Cornerstone on the study. “This is borne out by research from the likes of ManpowerGroup, which showed 2015 to have a seven-year peak of talent shortage.

“Recruiters have to work really hard to get noticed and even harder to persuade the best talent to join them. In order to accomplish this, they will need to reduce process inefficiencies and increase personalisation – both of which can be addressed through recruitment hacking techniques.”

Close to two thirds (62%) said they wish they could automate searching for candidates, and more than half (58%) wished to automate arranging interviews with candidates, while 47% want to use technology to streamline reviewing CVs and applications.

“The research aspect of recruitment roles is proving to be a time-intensive task for many of the respondents, and coupled with so much time spent on administration, it is clear that there are burdens that in-house recruiters need help with,” added Vincent Belliveau, senior vice president and general manager, EMEA, Cornerstone OnDemand.

“To attract the best talent requires automating the right parts of the process, allowing more time for relationship-building and assessing a good fit from both sides.”