I hate to break the news to all the companies out there…but all I hear from candidates is “I tried to go online and post my resume but it just didn’t work.” Or “I couldn’t navigate the site” or “I think I sent it but I’m not sure?” Liz Ryan wrote an article in Forbes that “we took a craptastic 1940’s process and we simply threw the sucker online.” I have to agree with her. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad about it. Sad that the online process doesn’t weed out the best candidates but, AS A RECRUITER, happy that they need my services to find the best talent. Even some of the companies I deal with ask me to use their online process to enter a candidate. Am I the only one that finds these online tracking systems redundant? An even bigger question is do HR officials miss a great candidate by sorting through thousands of resumes? The key to finding great talent is to know them and can you really know someone online? You can’t tell the difference between the motivated, passionate candidate and the mediocre, less motivated candidate online. You might get a glimpse of who they are if you were to ask, “What are your top 3 accomplishments in business that you are the most proud of? Personally, what goals have you achieved thus far and where do you see yourself 5-10 years from now?” Now that would be a great online questionnaire. I think an online form should be more of an essay and less responsibilities, titles and duties. Let’s look at it from the candidates point of view. Their time is valuable and they don’t want to spend hours filling out applicant tracking forms. Plus, where is the love? These automated systems take the humanity out of the process and they don’t reflect a company that really wants you. Everyone wants to feel cherished, valued and appreciated. Great candidates love to be courted. That means as a company- just like a first date- you have to make an excellent impression immediately. My advice to great corporations out there looking to hire great talent- Well, you know what I am going to say- Hire me! But, I would also recommend how can you make your online process faster and more human? Make your SVP of HR fill out your form online and after that person is frustrated by the process, have a meaningful conversation about how to make improvements. Let’s all pretend we are on a first date and do more talking and less e mailing and texting. Happy Holidays and please follow us on Linked In. We are raising money for Feeding America for every new follower. I hope you will join us. Shelle Orlansky