According to the latest data from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, 87.2% of recruitment consultants will take risks on candidates that lack skills and experience, while a further 66.4% would do the same if the candidate doesn’t interview well.
The study, which surveyed 200 UK recruiters, found that this risky business might not pay off for hiring professionals, as 81.6% admit that they’ve made a number of bad hiring decisions. When asked what went wrong, 36% state that the new hire struggled to fit in, while 22% said they made a snap decision as there weren’t many candidates to choose from.
The current state of the economy has also resulted in 21% of recruitment consultants taking a risk on a potential recruit, while 14% say the candidate lied on their application.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library comments: “In the current market it’s certainly harder than ever to source top talent, forcing many recruiters to consider key areas to compromise on. While this can definitely pay off in some instances, the risk of making a bad hire can be costly and could lose you business with your clients.
“Our findings suggest that recruiters need to focus on a few key areas to boost their hiring process and ensure they place the right candidates. From streamlining their screening process, to using the right platforms; taking a look at key areas for improvement can help massively in the long run.”
Alongside the above, it’s clear that there are a number of areas outside of agency recruiters’ hands when it comes to making good hiring decisions. In fact, 4% of recruiters say the company lied about the culture/role, while 3% say the interview wasn’t run well by the client.
Biggins continues: “Sure, you’ve done your part by placing the candidate in the role, but if the company lies about the job or they don’t run the interview well then this is only going to backfire on you.
“Relationship building is important in any job; not least in the world of recruitment where you’re speaking to new people day in and day out. Get to know your clients, candidates and even suppliers. This will ensure you achieve the best results.”
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