Online systems help employers get the right graduates, quicker and more efficiently.

Graduate recruitment is an expensive business - the cost of running an assessment centre can run into thousands of pounds, so companies have to be sure that their money gets them the best graduates. And, what with the economy suffering, and there being literally 500 trillion more graduates looking for jobs these days (for 40 places on a graduate scheme there could be around 10,000 applications), employers need ever-more efficient ways of sifting through the applications.

Online systems save time, money and paper. In order to deal with huge numbers of applications, employers need to screen applicants in the fastest and most efficient way. By placing everything online, companies can make graduates complete competency questionnaires, ability tests, personality profiles and other tests at the beginning of the selection process, rather than having to spend more money and time on bringing them in for an interview.
Employers are also quite preoccupied with the way they are perceived, and rightly so. Job-hunters are a fickle bunch, and can be switched off by an employer with the wrong image. Employers like to think that using an online application system makes them look high-tech - in truth, if they didn't use an online system, they'd look like luddites.

Online application systems allow employers to access all the information they need, instantly - stuff like the number of applicants in a given week, or from a particular university. That way, they can monitor how successful their recruitment advertising has been, but also if they need to boost applications from a particular group (like women, for instance). And, like the candidates, they can track the progress of applications and monitor all correspondence.

For heaps more application advice and tips on researching employers, visit your careers service or go to general advice at targetjobs.co.uk.