Although the department usually does not hire, it often has a lot of influence on the hiring decision. Tom needs to fill an opening in his department. He submits a written request to Human Resources. He includes the basic criteria for the job, how soon he needs the person, and how many candidates he wants to see. The hiring process is more structured than it was in the past.
Employers are generally more selective.
Many factors have influenced the process. Large numbers of candidates, employment legislation, new technologies, employer liability, and organizational restructuring are a few of these influences. No longer do employers hire with the intent of lifetime employment. The assurance of retirement with a single employer is quickly becoming outdated. A successful job search campaign will consider these changes and will use all available resources.