SMEs put situations vacant in cyber-space

More than half of the UK's SMEs use the internet to recruit staff according to a survey published this week by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The survey found the use of the internet in recruitment has grown substantially from 50 per cent in 1999 to 64 per cent in 2000 of all types of small-to-medium-size businesses.

However, the report revealed recruitment using the internet means more work for some businesses in comparison with the traditional methods, as demands are often higher.

The report says: "Employers have faced some difficulties while trying to recruit staff online. Both candidates and employers expect a swifter response from recruiters and have higher expectations of the success rate."

But John Downie, parliamentary officer at the Federation of Small Businesses, said SMEs still have a long way to go when it comes to using the web.

"In my experience, I don't think SMEs are making the most of the facilities available. They may well be doing their recruitment online, but they could be using it for other purposes, such as buying supplies," he said.