Although the majority of employers still use traditional paper methods to recruit graduates, a growing number are developing online application systems. These systems are accessible via employers' websites. Technophobes take note - some banks, including CIBC World Markets and UBS Warburg, will only accept online applications. In order to deal with huge numbers of applications, employers need to screen applicants in the fastest and most efficient way. Traditionally information from application forms was entered into a database by a keyboard agency before the relevant screening criteria were applied, eg 24 UCAS points.
Online systems save time, money and paper by automatically transferring information to the database.
Rather than messing around with TippEx, if you make a mistake on an online form all you have to do is hit 'delete'. This is clearly a good thing for companies and students. The application process becomes simplified, targeted and much more efficient. By placing everything online, companies can make graduates complete competency questionnaires, ability tests, personality profiles and other tests at the beginning of the selection process, rather than having to spend more money and time in bringing them in for an interview. Graduates will be able to find out straight away if they are up to the job, and may even get feedback to help their job search in the future.