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We’ve all used job boards to one extent or another with differing degrees of success – but how relevant are applicant’s CVs you find on job boards?  Job boards can be very useful for those looking to hire, the ability to search a large database of candidates definitely has its advantages.

Advertising on the other hand can be a bit of a lottery.  Each job board has its own industry criteria and  job lists.  Therefore, you’re not always comparing apples with apples.  There’s definitely a knack to targeting your relevant candidate pool. Making sure the post code is right, the keywords are attractive to your ideal applicant, showing how attractive your benefits package is, all helps job seekers find you.

So why do you get applicants living in Aberdeen applying for a role in Basingstoke? Often it’s a keyword search glitch. They may have in their CV that they are looking for a job “within 20 miles of Aberdeen”, therefore the keyword search bots pick up ”within 20 miles” without the Aberdeen part.

Finding relevant applicants

As for irrelevant applications, or seemingly irrelevant applications, that’s more than likely due to a very generic CV being sent on application.  Many of the job boards only allow applicants to upload one CV.  So when they see a job that attracts them, they click the apply button and their generic CV gets sent.

We advocate that candidates use the boards to search, but apply direct or through the recruitment agent or company.  That way a conversation can be had about relevant skills, culture matches, achievements etc.

Job boards are an extremely useful part of the recruitment process.  What we’re saying is that something as important as the next career move should take more effort than a simple click of an apply now button.

You’re going to invest time and effort to recruit the right person into your company, so shouldn’t it go without saying that candidates should put some effort into showing you how right they are for you?

At Wote Street People we pay high attention to detail when it comes to matching candidates with job vacancies. We take the time to make sure companies get the perfect applicants who could make a real positive difference to their business, and we work with our candidates to ensure they apply for jobs that they would truly enjoy and succeed at.

Wote Street People can help you find full time, part time, permanent, contract and temporary staff in Basingstoke and surrounding areas, give us a call on 01256 799 127 or email maxine@wotestreetpeople.co.uk.