Barnes Roffe LLP (a Top 50 Accounting Practice) Use TalkingCV in Their Graduate Recruitment Drive
Barnes Roffe, a leading Top 50* accounting firm that has been established for over 100 years, decided on a new approach for their Graduate Recruitment drive earlier this year. They invited their applicants to a first-round interview by way of a TalkingCV.
London, United Kingdom, September 04, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The process was simple. TalkingCV is a 3-dimensional tool that combines video, audio and the standard written CV giving a candidate the ability to best portray their skills. In the same way that recruiters conduct first-round interviews each applicant was sent a list of pre-set questions they needed to answer – but instead of staff at Barnes Roffe having to sit through hundreds of 30-45 minute face to face interviews they were able to discern in minutes whether an applicant had the necessary skills for the job.
By adopting this new technology that is relative to the generation of today, Barnes Roffe found they were able to pre-screen candidates quickly and efficiently and at the same time minimize their costs and time spent searching for that perfect graduate. This, in turn, allowed them to get a real sense of the candidates prior to the in-depth interview process.
Shen Yap, Audit Manager at Barnes Roffe’s Leytonstone office, said when interviewed,
“We found TalkingCV to be a most effective way of narrowing our selection process. So often a candidate looks great on paper and then you sit face to face in a first-round interview and realize they have little in way of communication skills - this is not the most efficient use of recruitment time - and time is precious. So, too, were we able to broaden our search criteria. We tend to interview only those candidates with a 2:1 degree, but this time we widened our scope to those with a 2:2 and were very surprised by the results.
“It’s a well-known fact that in face to face scenarios a decision is usually made on a candidate within the first five minutes – rarely do people grow on you after this time. The key advantage of a TalkingCV is that the candidate is able to rehearse their performance thereby ensuring that their best attributes will shine through. The only key barrier I can see is people’s apprehension of using such technology, but, this technology is relatively commonplace with today’s generation - they all use Skype, YouTube, MSN Messenger. It’s part of their day-to-day life.
“Today’s Graduates are generally comfortable with webcam technology. We found more than 50% of our applicants owned one. Those that didn’t either went out and bought one or went to an internet café. Recruitment is full of surprises, so not all of our 2008 intakes came through the same route. However, for those that did, I would say 50% had their initial interview via TalkingCV. There are already laptops available with built-in webcams and before too long this will be the norm. So, yes, I would say TalkingCV is most definitely the way forward in terms of the recruitment process.”
Peter Griffin, Managing Director at TalkingCV Limited added:
"We have found some recruiters particularly concerned that a TalkingCV could lead to discrimination. In fact, the exact opposite applies. From a candidate’s perspective a TalkingCV provides an identical process for all. And, where else does a recruiter have "living proof" of a candidate's performance during the interview process? A completed TalkingCV interview shows in video, audio and the written word a candidate’s suitability for a role, and can be produced as evidence should any claim of discrimination arise.”
So, despite a market that heralds redundancies worldwide, companies still need to recruit key members of staff and they need to do this in the most cost-effective way. By embracing technology such as TalkingCV, recruiters can now increase their chance of successfully finding the right candidate for the job and also reap the benefit of a considerable financial saving.
TalkingCV is now offering a no-obligation free trial so that companies may experience the product for themselves. Registration can be completed via the TalkingCV website at www.talkingcv.com or by emailing jacqueline.hill@talkingcv.com.
* Accountancy Age League Table 2008
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By adopting this new technology that is relative to the generation of today, Barnes Roffe found they were able to pre-screen candidates quickly and efficiently and at the same time minimize their costs and time spent searching for that perfect graduate. This, in turn, allowed them to get a real sense of the candidates prior to the in-depth interview process.
Shen Yap, Audit Manager at Barnes Roffe’s Leytonstone office, said when interviewed,
“We found TalkingCV to be a most effective way of narrowing our selection process. So often a candidate looks great on paper and then you sit face to face in a first-round interview and realize they have little in way of communication skills - this is not the most efficient use of recruitment time - and time is precious. So, too, were we able to broaden our search criteria. We tend to interview only those candidates with a 2:1 degree, but this time we widened our scope to those with a 2:2 and were very surprised by the results.
“It’s a well-known fact that in face to face scenarios a decision is usually made on a candidate within the first five minutes – rarely do people grow on you after this time. The key advantage of a TalkingCV is that the candidate is able to rehearse their performance thereby ensuring that their best attributes will shine through. The only key barrier I can see is people’s apprehension of using such technology, but, this technology is relatively commonplace with today’s generation - they all use Skype, YouTube, MSN Messenger. It’s part of their day-to-day life.
“Today’s Graduates are generally comfortable with webcam technology. We found more than 50% of our applicants owned one. Those that didn’t either went out and bought one or went to an internet café. Recruitment is full of surprises, so not all of our 2008 intakes came through the same route. However, for those that did, I would say 50% had their initial interview via TalkingCV. There are already laptops available with built-in webcams and before too long this will be the norm. So, yes, I would say TalkingCV is most definitely the way forward in terms of the recruitment process.”
Peter Griffin, Managing Director at TalkingCV Limited added:
"We have found some recruiters particularly concerned that a TalkingCV could lead to discrimination. In fact, the exact opposite applies. From a candidate’s perspective a TalkingCV provides an identical process for all. And, where else does a recruiter have "living proof" of a candidate's performance during the interview process? A completed TalkingCV interview shows in video, audio and the written word a candidate’s suitability for a role, and can be produced as evidence should any claim of discrimination arise.”
So, despite a market that heralds redundancies worldwide, companies still need to recruit key members of staff and they need to do this in the most cost-effective way. By embracing technology such as TalkingCV, recruiters can now increase their chance of successfully finding the right candidate for the job and also reap the benefit of a considerable financial saving.
TalkingCV is now offering a no-obligation free trial so that companies may experience the product for themselves. Registration can be completed via the TalkingCV website at www.talkingcv.com or by emailing jacqueline.hill@talkingcv.com.
* Accountancy Age League Table 2008
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Contact
TalkingCV Limited
Jacqui Hill
02079780114
www.talkingcv.com
Jacqui Hill
02079780114
www.talkingcv.com
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