2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

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electronic forms were more convenient, but wished that facilities allowed them to preview,
flick through and check their application forms (just as they can with paper application
forms). Design features also left respondents feeling restricted. Some felt that too many dropdown
menus limited choice and the lack of space restricted their ability to give a full picture
of themselves. Unlike paper forms, there was no facility to add an extra sheet when
necessary. Like the participants in the Foulis and Bozionelos study, the students believed that
organisations who provided effective online application facilities created an innovative,
forward-thinking image and appeared more appealing as an employer. Conversely, when the
students had a negative experience using online application systems, their image of the
organisation was affected negatively.
Equity of access to the Internet has been an issue of concern since the introduction of the
Internet as a medium for recruitment and selection. Price et al echo concerns of others by
suggesting that use of the Internet is limited on the basis of demographics such as age, sex,
race and income and, therefore, the use of the Internet may introduce adverse impact. It is
important to investigate the possibility that the use of the Internet medium might serve to
exclude candidates on the basis of demographic factors. However, it is possible that the
characteristics of each applicant population will determine whether access and ability to use
the Internet is an issue for concern in each specific case.
Beyond access to Internet-based R&S facilities, there is another important issue to consider:
the extent to which the target population is motivated to use career-related websites and the
specific R&S features they accommodate.
Applicant groups vary in their characteristics just as the jobs and roles for which they apply
vary. This is why it is important for organisations to consider the specific groups of people
they want to target when they design their Internet applications. Many of the R&S features
found on the Internet, particularly selection applications, are targeted at graduates. Studies,
such as that documented by Foulis and Bozionelos, can help direct initiatives aimed at
targeting a similar graduate applicant population. However, whilst some Internet
applications, such as Job Boards, accommodate non-graduate populations, little research
attention has been paid to understanding the large non-graduate population of job seekers and
their perceptions of the Internet as a medium used in the R&S process.
The QinetiQ researchers participated in a programme of work aimed at fulfilling a number of
objectives. These can be summarised within the following three questions:
a. Is the recruit target population limited from accessing the Internet to carry out job search
activities?
b. Do the target population use the Internet to carry out job search activities?
c. How is the prototype Tri-Service web site received by the target group?
The first question addresses the very practical issue of whether potential applicants have
access to the facilities they need to take advantage of electronic recruitment and selection
facilities. The second and third questions, although addressing different elements, both relate
to the motivation to use these electronic facilities. By asking about their current interest in
using the Internet for job search activities, the researchers aimed to identify the extent to
which this target group currently use the Internet for R&S activities, and what preferences
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003