Dan Ryan's View-Leaders & Entrepreneurs

My post from earlier this week really struck a nerve with many people and I am going to share some of the comments with you today.  I had a hunch that many were frustrated with the many different platforms they deal with, but I had really not grasped the utter anger and angst that many are feeling.

I think there is a business opportunity here.  Anyone who can build a user-friendly applicant system has the world at their fingertips.

$$$$$$

Here are the comments:

• don’t even get me started… it became an “Occupation” just to spend 5 hours filling out some of these systems! I…. am “educated” and knew the easy short cuts and know HOW to type…. if I can’t do it…. many are going to be frustrated…

  ONLY ONE site had a “down load your resume` option” ….

• I have been on both sides (as a recruiter and a candidate). If the site is done professionally, it is user friendly for everyone. My frustration is not in the use of the sites, but in the sheer volume it generates. There is no way this is an effective way to either find a job, or identify the best candidate. As much as I love technology, I’m almost in favor of eliminating this option!

• Dan, my “favorite” system was the one that took at least two hours to complete, but timed out in 90 minutes. The applicant was forced to repeat the process in speed-time in order to be considered! The only thing worse than the online applicant systems is the BLACK HOLE we applicants feel we fall into as soon as the proverbial “submit” button is clicked. The whole process is off-putting as there is no way to check on an application, gauge progress made, and no way to talk to a human being. These applicant systems need to be interfaced with an applicant CRM system so the recruiters can track, report and evaluate the effectiveness of what they have set up. I have worked both sides of the fence — been an applicant, and been the hiring manager — and the systems do not work effectively for either objective. I begin to wonder if I really want to work for the company I am trying to apply to, given the perception their application process creates.

• I could write pages on how I feel about the online application systems. Very few are user friendly or have you repeating the same information over and over. Streamline it! Ask me for my name and phone number and let me import my resume. Don’t even get me started on how much I hate the entire online system. I long for the days when you had personal contact and could make a first impression.

• Besides the fact that it takes a long time to use many of the online application forms, some ask for too much information. I may be a bit cautious but I do not want to share my reference information until the interview. Also, there are some systems that require a social security number, which I refuse to give out. however, as an applicant I end up not being able to apply for some jobs because of this requirement. In one case, after I spent about a half hour filling out the information, I was told to give my social security number so the company could determine tax credits for me if I was hired. This is too much information for a company to need before they have even looked at my resume.   One feature I have seen recently that I do like is the systems that have been designed to ask specific questions about the position. I have determined by those questions that I don’t have the qualifications that they are really looking for in the position.

Now you start to see the flavor of this.  It is really UGLY!

I would like to hear some employer feedback.  Come on, defend yourselves and let us know how you can improve this.

More will follow on this hot topic!