According to WCN, the e-Recruitment software provider, following a recent seminar, good communication is one thing that's thought to be lacking in the recruitment website design industry.

A mismatch of information and miscommunication between recruiter and line manager/HR personnel can result in an inaccurate job listing. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, the issue compounds from there: from the misleading advert comes unqualified and unsuitable applicants, then unsound hiring decisions – as it's often after candidates are hired that their ill-fitting competencies are exposed.

The downsides, of course, affect the client company, in time wasted and further cost to find the best-suited applicant; to the original candidate, who has to return to job-hunting with a brief 'blip' on their CV, and also to the recruitment agency, whose reputation is slightly tarred from the experience.

Obtaining the correct job definition from the outset can be challenging if the line manager finds it difficult to articulate the role's responsibilities. Competencies are a better alternative, says Sandra Walton, Senior Consultant from the ECC, as 'they can be quickly reviewed to see if the candidate is developing.'

Kirstie Kelly, Director of Sales and Marketing at LaunchPad Recruits, thinks video should be utilised more. 'Statistics show that video is 60,000 times more engaging than other communication methods, making it a vital tool for any organisation looking to recruit. With an average of 23 candidates applying for every role, video screening helps to improve the calibre of candidate advancing to further assessments, and reduces costs by up to 24%.'

Should a mismatch situation arise, redeployment of the inappropriate candidate was another solution mentioned, one which would benefit all parties in the long-term. For instance, WCN found internal hires performed better in the first 6-12 months than external hires.

It's clear that drilling-down towards the role's specifications, responsibilities and competencies is crucial. A mixed-message or unclear job description has ramifications that snowball if left unchallenged.

Mixed messages also cause problems when you market your business. Your website reflects your brand and your own competency as a recruitment partner. Is it serving you well?

Fast Recruitment Websites specialise in the design of websites for companies just like yours; call us for an evaluation of your site, with no obligation, on 01302 288591.