Local newspapers the preferred medium for employers looking for new staff

Despite the hype about the internet transforming the way we hunt for new jobs, local newspapers are still the most preferred way of attracting new recruits, according to the Annual Recruitment and Retention survey from the CIPD. Specialist trade press are also popular though this recruitment method has decreased by over ten per cent over the last 12 months.

The use of national newspapers to advertise vacancies has also decreased by nearly 20 per cent over the past twelve months. Imogen Daniels, CIPD, Resourcing and Development Adviser says, "The current economic climate means that organisations are trying to make savings in certain areas, and recruitment advertising has been affected considerably.

"Organisations appear to be using the technology available to them in the recruitment process, though clearly job hunters still prefer to browse through vacancies in their own time at their own pace. While e-mail and electronic media certainly encourage more people to apply for positions, corporate websites and internet job boards have some headway to make."

The survey findings also reveal that informal methods such as word of mouth or personal recommendations through family and friends are also favoured by over 60 per cent of UK companies. Over half of employers, also recruit through speculative applications where jobs have not been advertised.

Daniels says, "Personal recommendations can enable employers to tap into a wider pool of candidates - though they need to be aware of the dangers of cloning. Generally speaking, we tend to be drawn to people who have similar interests and views to our own, the same goes for recruiters who also take to people who are like themselves. This can prevent fresh perspectives from coming into the work setting and can cause stagnation".

The research also shows that employers have placed increasing emphasis on diversity with nearly 75 per cent of them taking account of a broader range of qualities; nearly 65 per cent of employers are monitoring recruitment and half are advertising vacancies beyond mainstream media.

Daniels says, "It's heartening to see employers recognising the value of difference. A diverse workforce means more creativity and different approaches being directed towards business goals. In an economy where weightless qualities such as brand and values enable organisations to compete, diversity is crucial for survival."