Data from CV-Library has found 87.2 per cent of recruitment consultants will take risks on candidates that lack skills and experience. The study of 200 UK recruiters also found a further 66.4 per cent would do the same if the candidate doesn’t interview well.
Unfortunately this risky approach might not pay off for hiring professionals, as 81.6 per cent admit that they’ve made a number of bad hiring decisions. When asked what went wrong, 36 per cent state that the new hire struggled to fit in, while 22 per cent 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 per cent of recruitment consultants taking a risk on a potential recruit, while 14 per cent say the candidate lied on their application.
“In the current market it’s certainly harder than ever to source top talent, forcing many recruiters to consider key areas to compromise on,” said Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library. “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,” he added. “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, four per cent of recruiters say the company lied about the culture/role, while three per cent 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,” he concludes.
