Are graduates right to complain about some of the lengthy recruitment processes for graduate jobs?

Many graduates are under the impression that the recruitment process for graduate jobs is too long with no communication or feedback.

Graduates sometimes say that the graduate jobs application process is complicated and lengthy and in some cases can take up to 6 months before a job offer is made. According to a survey by Work Group which used the targetjobs.co.uk student database looked at the potential costs to employers of running a recruitment process that graduates perceive as unsatisfactory, with 1 in 10 students turning down a job offer if they felt their experience was poor.

Due to the lengthy time period of the recruitment process many graduates find themselves accepting other job offers because they cannot afford to wait so long for a job. The consensus is that graduates expect the hiring process to last no longer than four to eight weeks and should consist of no more than three phases (application, interview, and assessment center). The graduates also believed they should be given better guidance on the process and what was expected of them when they start work.

Graduates and many employers stress the importance of managing the relationship with candidates during the recruitment process. Chris Phillips, publishing director at GTI Media, said, ‘It’s more important than ever for recruiters to build deep relationships with appropriate candidates from an early stage and to be constantly available to them. And with mobile and social media advances, they have the tools to manage good relationships with them and to compete for the top 10 per cent of students that seemingly all top recruiters are after.’

Source: Pareto.co.uk, Monday 3rd October 2011