Newsletter :. The Risks of Online Recruiting

Even with increasing unemployment numbers, competition of good employees is fierce. Many recruiters have turned to the Internet as an inexpensive and easy way to find candidates. But while online recruiting may be low cost initially, be aware of the risks.

SECRUTITY
Contacting candidates’ online means you will receive emails, many with attached resumes and samples. Since these emails are from unknown sources and could be infected with viruses, you will need to work with you IS department to ensure that proper security and screening devices are in place.

PRIVACY
The Federal Trade Commission has been asked to review the job-search industry’s information handling and consumer privacy practices. If you gather resumes on line, respect the privacy of the individuals submitting them. Don’t share information with others or use it to promote your products and services. If you’re “trolling” for resumes on the web sites, be aware that some unscrupulous site owners may not have permission to post those resumes. Develop a privacy policy and have it reviewed by your legal council.

INADVERTENT DISCRIMINATION
Over-reliance on the Internet can lead to inadvertent discrimination. The Internet is not yet as widespread as the telephone and many potential candidates don’t have web access in their homes. Certain demographic groups, such and the elderly and financially disadvantaged, are less likely to utilize the Internet. You may be inadvertently discriminating against the poor, the elderly, the technologically challenged, or anyone without web access by giving too much consideration to resumes sent electronically.

MISSING RECRUTIMENT TOOLS
One of the greatest perils of online recruiting is that recruiters become enamored of this new tool that they forget to think strategically and creatively about the recruiting process. They can spend hours in front of the computer, forgoing other ways of recruiting, thereby severely limiting their pool of candidates. An effective recruiter must use a variety of methods and not rely on one, no matter how “cool” it may be.
As with any technological improvement, online recruiting offers both benefits and risks, Knowing the risks and taking steps to minimize them can help you make the most effective use of an extremely efficient recruitment tool.

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