What annoys Singaporeans the most about recruitment processes

In a survey of 500 Singaporean job seekers, their biggest issues about companies' recruitment processes were found to be: slow feedback (47%), poor communication (44%) and delayed decision-making (44%).

Some of the other annoyances highlighted in the Robert Half survey include multiple interviews with the same prospective employer; lack of transparency on rewards and benefits; and disappointment with contractual terms.

Typically, when job seekers are on the lookout, at least two in five (42%) apply for ten roles or more at the same time - consequently, 79% of job seekers regularly receive multiple job offers when searching for work.

On the flipside, 98% of Singaporean managers say they find it challenging to source skilled talent, as a result of which they need to act fast or risk losing talent.

Matthieu Imbert-Bouchard, managing director at Robert Half Singapore, commented: "In a market characterised by an ongoing skills shortage, businesses should avoid alienating job applicants with a long, drawn-out interview process if they want to secure the best candidate for the job."

He added: "Singaporean companies would benefit from balancing their recruitment process against the expectations and frustrations of jobseekers, whilst simultaneously streamlining their application and interview process."

With slow feedback and poor communication being top frustrations for Singaporean jobseekers, 52% of them generally do not receive feedback from their potential employers about their performance in interviews, and while three in five (61%) do not receive feedback about the reason why they were not offered the job.

As a result, 47% of jobseekers say they would not recommend a company as a potential employer and a similar 49% are even willing to withdraw their application if they have not received a timely response on their application.

"While multi-stage interviews and a lengthy recruitment process are unavoidable, it is crucial for companies to provide prompt feedback and timely communication throughout the application progress in order to avoid any negative consequences," explained Matthieu Imbert-Bouchard.

Photo / 123RF  Infographic / Robert Half