Internet overtakes all traditional hiring sources including newspaper classified ads, which now only account for 5% of new hires. According to a survey released Feb. 9, 2006 by DirectEmployers Association, the Internet has become the top source for employment leads.

The survey found that employer websites (21 percent), employee referrals (19 percent), and general job boards (17 percent) were the top three sources of new hires in 2005. The survey also found almost three-fourths (74 percent) of employers plan to increase use of their corporate website for recruiting in 2006.

Employers reported that they found the highest quality candidates and received the highest return on their investment from their own websites and from employee referrals. Financially, while general job boards represent the highest recruitment spending category for corporations, capturing 27% of the recruiting advertising budget, employers in this study reported that such boards generated only 15% of new hires in 2005.

If you have any questions regarding hiring, please contact Clint Davis of HR-OneSource’s at 515-221-1718.