Why aren't job applicants treated like customers?

Over recent years cost-cutting has had a serious impact on customer service for job applicants. Gone are:

• Acknowledgements that your application is received.
• Letters advising you weren’t short listed.
• Even letters advising of the final result may be cut.

In the business world you wouldn’t stay in business long if you treated your customers with such disdain, yet it seems to be ‘industry standard’ to provide the black hole approach to job applicants.

Yes, it may add some dollars to the cost of recruiting, but in a competitive market treating applicants with courtesy and keeping them informed may provide an advantage to the organisation that is brave enough to return to service basics.

Public sector agencies go to great lengths to convince us of their customer service credentials yet for some reason they don’t seem to apply to applicants. A recruitment strategy that includes quality customer service would not only add credibility to service charters but possibly make for a more attractive employment choice.

Other useful articles:

• Make day one memorable for new staff
• Selection panels need to focus more on job outcomes
• Why an interview provides poor evidence of communication skills

Dr Ann Villiers, learning guide, professional speaker and author, is Australia's only Mental Nutritionist® specialising in mind and language practices that help people build flexible thinking, confident speaking and quality connections with people. Visit www.mentalnutrition.com to learn more about Mental Nutrition. Visit www.selectioncriteria.com.au for free resources unlocking the mysteries of public service jobs.