The job application process can be one of the most stressful parts of an employee’s engagement with a company. For many, applying for jobs is an uncomfortable process that involves a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. In the age of the online application, this fear of the unknown has greatly diminished, and with it, the need for some of the paper-based questionnaire applications.
While most of these questionnaires have been serving a necessary function, businesses must now question whether they are really necessary in this day and age. The use of a questionnaire in the job application process can be traced back to the 1800s when companies would ask applicants a series of questions to screen out those who were not suitable for the job, and the questions were usually directed toward the applicant’s social position, race, and gender. While these questionnaires have kept their purpose, they have also morphed into a cumbersome hindrance in the hiring process, slowing it down and frustrating both applicants and employers.
Does The Use Of Job Questionnaires Still Have Business Value?
With the dawn of the 21st century, many companies have shifted to online applications and away from paper-based ones. This is largely due to the fact that there is no longer any need to physically submit physical applications and paper resumes for review. Instead, all aspects of the application can be vetted and reviewed online, saving both employers and employees a great deal of time and hassle. This trend has had a huge impact on the job application landscape, and with it, the business case for many of the paper-based job questionnaires.
The Rise Of The Online Application
If you’re looking for a new job, you’re most likely experiencing a lot of anxiety right now. There are multiple apps and websites that can make your job search a whole lot easier, and help make the process feel less daunting. The convenience of online applications is undoubtedly why so many have sprung up, allowing individuals to apply from the comfort of their homes, all while reducing the need for most of the paper-based questionnaires. As a result, the need for many of these questionnaires has diminished, with some even being phased out completely.
This trend isn’t just limited to job applications. Many employers are now using online tools to conduct interviews, employee engagement, and performance reviews. For example, many businesses use online software to curate feedback and create action plans for their employees. All of this can be done efficiently and effectively through a digital platform, eliminating the need for many of the traditional paper-based processes.
Why Do Companies Still Use Paper-Based Questionnaires?
While most companies have embraced the quick and easy job search offered through online applications, there are still some who want to keep up with tradition and continue using some of the older paper-based processes. The reasons for this vary, but many businesses believe that using a questionnaire in the application process gives them the opportunity to delve into an applicant’s personality and determine how they will behave in the workplace. They also like the fact that the questionnaire gives them some degree of certainty about whether or not they are making the right decision about taking the applicant on board. Even with these legitimate business reasons for using a paper-based questionnaire, the burden associated with the application process has become too much for many, and they happily opt for the speed and ease of the online application.
The Impact Of Automation In The Job Application Process
Even with all the benefits of using online applications, there is still a place for some of the older processes, and one of these is the job application process. Since much of the information required for recruitment is now readily available online, much of the paper-based application process can be automated. For example, many job applications include questions about the applicant’s education and previous work experience, and with the help of an intelligent tool, these can be easily automated. This gives businesses the opportunity to reduce the amount of time spent on applications and focus more on the hiring process. While this may not be possible for every company, those that do it successfully realize big savings and a more streamlined hiring process.
How Does Automation Impact The Use Of Job Questionnaires?
The use of job questionnaires in employment applications will not disappear entirely, but their use will certainly be phased out. Thanks to automation, many of these questionnaires will become redundant, and instead of impeding the hiring process, the use of automation will actually make it simpler. For example, a business that uses an automated platform to screen its applicant pool will not need to spend as much time verifying information and sending out questionnaires, as this process will be fully automated and done before they even start the interview process.
What Should Your Job Application Include?
If you’re looking for a new job, you’re most likely experiencing a lot of anxiety right now. There are multiple apps and websites that can make your job search a whole lot easier, and help make the process feel less daunting. The convenience of online applications is unquestionably why so many have sprung up, allowing individuals to apply from the comfort of their homes, all while reducing the need for most of the paper-based questionnaires. As a result, the need for many of these questionnaires has diminished, with some even being phased out completely.
This trend isn’t just limited to job applications. Many employers are now using online tools to curate feedback and create action plans for their employees. For example, many businesses use online software to curate feedback and create action plans for their employees. Even more employers are turning to online tools to perform interviews, and much to their relief, many of these tools save a great deal of time and hassle compared to the traditional interview process. These tools ensure that every aspect of the interview process is recorded and can be reviewed at a later date, providing employers with a much clearer picture of what happened during the interview process and allowing them to better judge the suitability of the candidate.
Which Industries And Sectors Should Avoid Using Job Questionnaires?
Since the dawn of the 21st century, businesses have largely shifted to online applications and away from paper-based ones. This is largely due to the fact that there is no longer any need to physically submit physical applications and paper resumes for review. Instead, all aspects of the application can be vetted and reviewed online, saving both employers and employees a great deal of time and hassle. This trend has had a huge impact on the job application landscape, and with it, the business case for many of the paper-based job questionnaires.
While many industries can benefit from the speed and ease of the online application, there are some which stand to lose a great deal of value from the elimination of most of these questionnaires. One such industry is HR, as many of these questionnaires can help flesh out an employee’s working style and determine their level of suitability for the role. In an age where businesses are trying to cut down on their costs as much as possible, these questionnaires can help determine an employee’s productivity and willingness to learn new things, which in turn can help lower employee turnover and improve the overall quality of service.
Those in HR must remember that not everything can be reduced to numbers, and many of these questionnaires can help uncover vital information that cannot be gleaned from a traditional application, or at least provide additional information that cannot be found on a resume. Therefore, the use of these questionnaires in the hiring process is not something to be overlooked, but rather seen as a necessary evil that has diminished in importance thanks to the rise of the online application.