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Recruiting staff can often be a daunting task, especially if you are inundated with applications.

With this in mind, Human Resources (HR) recently implemented an online recruitment system - eRecruitment - which enables the recruitment process to be managed and monitored online for the 500 or more positions that are advertised annually by the University.

"Essentially eRecruitment has eliminated the need to wade through reams of paper," said Mark David, Associate Director, HR Services. "If you're nominated to be part of a selection panel, you can now review and rate applications confidentially online. There's no longer a need to be lumbered with large files which were always part of the process when administrative roles were advertised across the University."

A small project team has been working to ensure eRecruitment meets various needs across the University. "Rolling out eRecruitment has really shown us how recruitment activities vary around the University," said Elsa Isebe, Project Manager for eRecruitment. "This has been one of the challenges in implementing eRecruitment in such a large and diverse organisation."

As well as enabling selectors to review applications online, eRecruitment has also resulted in streamlining the request to advertise process with all approvals being obtained electronically and with offers of employment also being made online to the successful candidate.

"Approvals can be obtained within hours, rather than days, with lost paperwork being a thing of the past," said Elsa. "With online acceptance, administrators can start preparing for the new staff member a lot sooner than they could before."

While various administrative tools are offered in eRecruitment, not all aspects of the recruitment process can be conducted online.

"An important element of the recruitment process is the relationship you build with candidates," said project team member Emma Badminton. "It means taking the time to contact and meet preferred applicants as soon as possible after applications close. People might be surprised at the impact poor recruitment practices have on the reputation of an organisation."

eRecruitment has been operating for about six weeks. It is expected that the new system will amass valuable information to better inform the University's recruitment strategies.

"With the University's goal of attracting and retaining the highest quality of staff, it's important our recruitment practices ensure all parts of the University are able to achieve this," said Mark.

For further information, including user guides and training videos on using the system, visit eRecruitment .

Published in UWA News , April 2013