Often companies buying criteria for a recruitment system begins with a list of required features and functions, delivering an end result with gaps or increasing cost with unnecessary functionality. By looking at the full picture, you stand more chance of selecting the right system for you.
Here are a few tips to help you on your way.
Understanding your processes
Whether you are creating a new process or reviewing existing methods, it is crucial you are clear where you are currently. Recruitment systems can help provide the foundations for a solid and consistent structure. During your analysis, consider the following:
What do you want to achieve?
Be clear on what you want to achieve - Reducing administration, speeding your process, improving candidate experience, understanding or controlling recruitment costs or creating consistency.
Prioritise your requirements – this will make life easier when identifying relevant features and functions and the most suitable supplier.
Consider impact on the business – who will benefit and what are the needs of individual areas of the business.
Formulate a solid business case – clearly identifying where a return on investment will come from will be crucial for business buy-in.
Get help – make use of free advice to help you identify your goals and requirements.
The right product and supplier
Identify suitable suppliers – do they understand your recruitment and appreciate what you are trying achieve? Who already uses their products? Ask to speak with existing users who can share their experiences.
Functionality and features – providing they deliver what you are looking to achieve, the best products are intuitive, easy to navigate and flexible, catering for all your processes and creating a natural fit with the way you want to recruit.
Cost of development – will you require it and if so, how much will it cost? What is included as standard? Do you pay for additional modules? Initially low cost systems can end up expensive ones.
Implementation – speed and simplicity are crucial, but this can only be achieved by minimising workload for you and internal departments. Quality suppliers will provide accurate timetables and will provide references to demonstrate this.
Training and support – is training included? How long will it take? Will you receive support after the live date and what will it encompass?
Identifying where improvements and savings to your recruitment processes can be made will help in understanding your system requirements and communicate clearly to colleagues the benefits a Recruitment Management System will bring to your organisation.