Unsuccessful job applicants can harm employers

Almost half (49%) of UK candidates have a negative perception of an organisation following an unsuccessful job application, according to research by talent assessment solutions provider SHL.

The research, which questioned 1,600 UK adults, found that 24% of respondents had had two or three bad experiences in the past and 6% as many as four or five, while 18% of respondents who had been through a bad recruitment experience had stopped doing business with the company as a direct result.

A further survey by SHL of 500 UK recruitment professionals shows that 25% of recruiters say they are overstretched as a result of increased job applications and of these, 19% say they are now unable to let candidates know when they have received their application.

The survey also shows that 17% don't provide detailed feedback to interviewed candidates and 15% can't let candidates know if they have not been successful after an initial application.

Paul Alekna of eResponse comments: "Applications and acknowledgements are processed here daily ensuring all potential client candidates receive notification that we have received their CV within 24-hours of it being sent."

"As the job market continues to grow it's vital employers consult with their agents on appropriate timescales when embarking on a new recruitment drive. In the eyes of the applicant there is nothing worse than no acknowledgement and no feedback."