Deutsche Bank’s move to online recruitment has increased its number of
graduate applicants, delegates were told at the Association of Graduate
Recruiters annual conference last week.
The bank increased its graduate applicants by 2 per cent to 10,200 for the
2001 intake. Online recruitment was introduced in September 2000 as part of the
bank’s e-HR initiative, called the HR Firm, which moved non-strategic HR online
in a cost-cutting exercise.
James Darley, global team leader, graduate recruitment, at the bank, said,
"There is a lot of scepticism about whether the high talent will spend
time filling in online forms. But our research suggested they will, and the
increase has proved the online move was correct."
Online recruitment is the only way graduates can apply for jobs with the
bank, except in the US where its practice is restricted by personal data
legislation.
Students apply through Deutsche’s Internet site and immediately receive an
e-mail confirming the application has been received. Rejection e-mails are
customised to the applicant.
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The company allows students to pick their interview time. Darley says this
is important because undergraduates may be working part-time or taking exams.
He urged graduate recruiters to embrace online recruitment as it can bring
large cost savings. "When I was working for United Biscuits, I implemented
an online recruitment system at a cost of £30,000 and it saved the company
£250,000 in its first year," he said.
