Why it’s time for the recruitment industry to think big

In an era of ever more sophisticated data analysis, it’s possible to gain important insights into business performance. Tim Gibson explores the implications for the recruitment industry.

In the Steven Spielberg sci-fi movie Minority Report (2002), advertising is personalised. As characters travel from A to B, iris scanners identify them, and beam ads aimed at their particular tastes onto screens that only they can see.

When the film came out, this counted as a piece of fantasy. But we’re not a million miles away from such a world just 15 years later – and it’s all thanks to the power of big data.

Think about what happens when you surf the internet. If you pay attention to the adverts that flash up on-screen, you’ll notice that many of them have a particular allure for you. They correlate to your search habits, to the sites you’ve visited, and to the things you write about in emails.

In other words, these ads are personalised for you. Advertisers use analytics that are derived from your online activity, as well as demographic identifiers and data about the sorts of things people like you buy. By putting all that information in the mix, they can pinpoint what will have you reaching for your credit card to make a purchase.

If that illustrates the power of big data to illumine business activity, it also demonstrates the wealth of information that is available in a digital age. Even the most cautious internet user leaves a trail of breadcrumbs in their wake, with every transaction, every search and every browse of a website revealing a huge amount about them.

Whenever a wealth of information is recorded, whether online or offline by sensors, say, or surveying techniques, it can be manipulated in all sorts of ways to sharpen practice and improve performance. That’s precisely how big data is being used to improve healthcare, for example, or to help the emergency services respond to crisis situations. It’s even informing town planning.    

So it is no surprise that recruiters are coming to recognise the power of big data to improve staffing procedures and personnel management. With the right information at your fingertips, you can significantly enhance your HR activity, giving you a valuable edge over your rivals.

“One of the most obvious ways to use big data in recruitment is identifying potential candidates for a vacancy,” explains Peter Foy, a Director at Just Recruitment Group Ltd in East Anglia. “If you have a database of roles, and a database of the skills and aptitudes of people who have thrived in them, it’s easy to cross-refer them to a list of current candidates and produce a narrow field of suitable applicants for a given opportunity.”

That sort of matching process is what recruitment consultants like Mr Foy have done throughout the ages, of course. Which means a key part of their traditional work can now be undertaken by machines. 

“That’s true,” he admits. “But even the cleverest computer can’t discern if someone has the right personality to fit in with a particular team dynamic, for example, or the discipline to wear a smart suit to the office every day.”

In other words, there will always be details about a person that no amount of data analysis can spot. But the list of such details seems to shrink by the day, as algorithms grow in sophistication. So will there come a time when recruiters are replaced by computers?

“I don’t think so,” asserts Mr Foy. “This is a people-centred profession. Any agency that relies utterly on the conclusions of analytics, even highly advanced ones, will very soon lose credibility with clients and candidates alike.”

The reason is simple, he continues: “While big data – or ‘human analytics’ as it is sometimes called – makes it easier to draw up a shortlist, the final decision to appoint will always be made by a human.”

Which isn’t to say big data doesn’t have a wider application in the HR space, as Bridie James, also from Just Recruitment, explains: “With the potential to record a wealth of information about, for example, staff behaviours, productivity, profitability, working conditions, management techniques, and the use of incentives, there is the opportunity to crunch data that reveals a huge amount about the workplace.

“Such predictive analytics could help businesses plan staff cover, structure pay rises, decide which bonuses to offer and iron out deficiencies in operating practices. The opportunities to enhance business performance really do seem to be limitless.

To take full advantage of such opportunities, Ms. James says it is necessary to have the right partner to analyse and curate relevant data. And she sees this as a valuable way for recruitment specialists to enhance their offer: “We understand people management and HR. So we know the sorts of questions to ask of data, as well as having a huge amount of aggregated data of our own to draw upon. So we could partner businesses to optimise the performance of their people, as well as finding the very best candidates as vacancies arise.”

All of these signals, a brave new world for the recruitment industry, as well as the businesses it serves. As Spielberg’s dystopian vision in Minority Report illustrated with unnerving foresight, though, machines are merely the means of deriving such insight. “We need to maintain the centrality of human beings in the new order,” concludes Peter. “Sometimes, the best decisions are based on intuition alone. No amount of data analysis can compete with that.”

© 2018 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you liked this article you may like to read – Six of the best reasons to work in recruitment

You may also like to read – Five success boosting habits to adopt today

Jobs currently available

New job
Business Development Manager
Sector: Sales
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC14
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Manager to join an exciting company based on the outskirts of Ipswich.

You will play a crucial role in driving the company's growth by developing and executing strategic sales plans, expanding the customer base, and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. This role is essential for achieving the company's sales targets and maintaining its competitive edge in the market.

Duties include:

  • Developing and implementing a business development sales plan to achieve company objectives, including: Team leadership, development, motivation, performance monitoring and reporting.
  • Carrying out outbound sales calls to meet sales targets/telemarketing.
  • Managing client sales appointments.
  • Client visits to determine needs and develop proposals to meet these.
  • Securing new sales orders via quotations, proposals and trials.
  • Identifying and targeting new business opportunities to expand the customer base.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with existing and potential clients.
  • Monitoring market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.
  • Preparing, presenting sales reports and forecasts to senior management.

Skills required include:

  • Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Highly motivated, proactive, and able to work independently and with the sales team, willingness to learn.
  • In-depth understanding of sales performance metrics and data analysis.
  • Ability to travel as required and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Benefits include:

  • Competitive salary and looking to develop performance-based bonuses.
  • Supportive and collaborative work environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Accounts Administrator (Full or Part-time)
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm. The hours can be flexible, including a four-day work week or school-friendly hours.

Please note that due to the location, you will need to drive.

You will need to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

The role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to the trial balance, using Sage software.

Duties include:

  • Ensuring timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Performing bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Preparing weekly aged creditors reports and processing the weekly supplier payment run accordingly.
  • Preparing monthly aged debtors reports and providing credit control where required.
  • Maintaining the cashflow forecast for the Finance director to review.
  • Processing monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC)
  • Managing auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software Sage 50 and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
H&S & Facilities Support Coordinator (12 month contract)
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JC13
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for an H&S & Facilities Support Coordinator to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

In this fast-paced role, you’ll play a key part in supporting the Health & Safety and Facilities teams by coordinating procedures, managing documentation, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The position requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a process-driven environment.

As this is a maternity cover position, you will need to hit the ground running; previous experience within a similar role will be vital to your success in the role.

Duties include:

  • Maintaining up-to-date maintenance records and electronic files, ensuring compliance requirements are met regarding the servicing and repairs at the company premises.
  • Providing reception/switchboard cover (during lunches, absences, and holidays).
  • Assisting with the management of the programme of planned and unplanned works.
  • Taking responsibility for contractors working on the premises.
  • Supporting H&S/ISO team in all aspects of administration.
  • Performing admin support with amendments/updates to H&S/ISO policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Assisting with ISO standards administration.

Skills required:

  • Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and manage workload effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a confident telephone manner.
  • Proven organisational and administrative abilities.
  • A proactive, supportive team player with a hands-on approach.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and database systems.
  • Comfortable working under tight deadlines.

Hybrid working is available after successfully completing the probationary period. The role requires 3 days per week in the office, with the option to work up to 2 days from home.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Technician – Taunton / Gloucester
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Taunton, Gloucester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913724
About the role

Due to continued growth, the world’s leading provider of vehicle washing technology is recruiting a Field Service Technician to support its customer base in the Taunton or Gloucester area.

The role will involve Service and Installation of Car and Commercial valet equipment. You will be involved in all aspects of planned and breakdown maintenance, equipment service and repairs, keeping van stock levels to the standard requirement and completing job sheets.

Role requirements include:

  • Having an Electrical or Mechanical engineering qualification
  • Be willing to travel and stay out overnight as and when required
  • Be willing to take on additional training and relevant courses, including evening courses that the company may pay for
  • Can work on your own initiative or as part of a team, and have problem-solving skills
  • Have a valid, clean UK driving licence
  • Good people skills, presentable and able to liaise directly with customers
  • Should be punctual and able to keep accurate and timely documentation
  • IT literate with Microsoft Office and Outlook experience.
  • Work within Health & Safety guidelines as set by the company

Benefits include:

  • Company vehicle
  • Mobile phone
  • Pension scheme
  • Death in service benefit
  • Uniform and tools provided

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, plus 1 in 3 weekend cover.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Technician – Leeds / Bradford
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Leeds, Bradford
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913725
About the role

Due to continued growth, the world’s leading provider of vehicle washing technology is recruiting a Field Service Technician to support its customer base in the Leeds or Bradford area.

The role will involve Service and Installation of Car and Commercial valet equipment. You will be involved in all aspects of planned and breakdown maintenance, equipment service and repairs, keeping van stock levels to the standard requirement and completing job sheets.

Role requirements include:

  • Having an Electrical or Mechanical engineering qualification
  • Be willing to travel and stay out overnight as and when required
  • Be willing to take on additional training and relevant courses, including evening courses that the company may pay for
  • Can work on your own initiative or as part of a team, and have problem-solving skills
  • Have a valid, clean UK driving licence
  • Good people skills, presentable and able to liaise directly with customers
  • Should be punctual and able to keep accurate and timely documentation
  • IT literate with Microsoft Office and Outlook experience
  • Work within Health & Safety guidelines as set by the company

Benefits include:

  • Company vehicle
  • Mobile phone
  • Pension scheme
  • Death in service benefit
  • Uniform and tools provided

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, plus 1 in 3 weekend cover.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more