Survey finds online application systems still suffer from basic flaws

A recent survey conducted by GTI Recruiting Solutions of more than 1,300 students and recent graduates who have used online application tracking systems (ATSs) during the recruitment season found that although most applicants are comfortable using ATSs to apply for jobs, their complaints are comprised of arguably the most basic problems.

Here’s an overview of the survey:

Respondents’ Top 4 positive factors were all related to being able to track their applications’ progress and the ability to come back to it at a later time to finish. Particularly for long applications (which were not favoured by they respondents), an applicant may not have the time to fill it all out in one sitting.

A large proportion of students mentioned the following four positive aspects:

• Speed
• Convenience/cost-effectiveness
• Fairness
• Presentation

However, “many systems in use continue to prove problematic in some very basic ways.” The Top 3 factors which hindered respondents’ experiences with ATSs included application length, website navigation and system speed.

Respondents were also concerned about the ability to accurately judge their suitability for a job based solely on what they write in an online application – “that the successful candidate was getting through based upon their writing skills as opposed to personality,” suggesting many respondents were not getting past the online application stage.

A top priority of respondents was an application system that is “easy to find” and clearly labelled on a site specifically designed with students and new grads in mind. Also, the authors of the survey report say they “were surprised by the volume of respondents still asking for systems that do not crash,” indicating many applications are still suffering from simple technical issues.

The survey also found there was demand for more information about the process, such as feedback on their application or simply stating how long it typically takes recruiters to hire for a position so the applicant isn’t waiting on edge for a response.

According to the survey, employers most regularly rated as having the best or second-to-best ATS were:

Deloitte (got the most mentions)

Ernst & Young

Procter & Gamble

NHS (in various guises)

KPMG

IBM

PwC

Marks & Spencer

Boots

Barclays

Civil Service

RBS

Sainsburys

Allen & Overy

Lloyds TSB

GTI recruiting solutions offered the following suggestions to employers for their own ATS:

• Test the system thoroughly before launch
• Keep it simple
• Make sure it can be completed in a reasonable length of time
• Think carefully about all the issues that really annoy users
• Respond promptly and sensitively to submitted forms