Despite the attention on the Internet as a recruitment tool, help-wanted
classified advertising is projected to be the most widely-used and effective
venue for employers in 1999, according to a survey by the William Olsten
Center for Workforce Strategies.
The companies surveyed said that more than 43 percent of new hires will be recruited
by traditional classified advertising, while only 5 percent are expected to be
generated via the Internet and job recruitment Web sites this year.
According to the survey, however, more companies are allowing prospective
candidates to submit their resumes or job applications online. Of those
companies that maintain a Web site for recruitment purposes, 38 percent of
respondents to the survey say they will allow online submissions in 1999
compared with only 17 percent two years ago. These companies indicate that they
typically receive an average of 133 resumes online per month.
The annual survey, The 1999 Olsten Forum: Staffing Strategies, this year
examined the responses of 322 corporate executives. It was conducted by Olsten Corp. on behalf of the Melville, NY-
based William Olsten Center for Workforce Strategies, a U.S.-based
organization generating research and analysis on issues affecting workforce
management and employees.
Employee referrals (13%), employment/recruiting firms (12%), and temp-to-perm
opportunities (10%) are also cited as recruitment strategies.
“Clearly, there is still a large window of opportunity for companies to
leverage the Internet and other technologies as part of their recruiting
strategy,” the company said.
Olsten Corp., with 1,500 offices on three continents, provides staffing
solutions and assignment employees to business, industry and government under
Olsten Staffing Services and related brands.
