News

Retailers turn to kiosks for screening applicants

June 22, 2004

ST. LOUIS - Many retailers, frustrated by high employee turnover, are turning to computerized kiosks to screen potential employees to identify trustworthy and customer-friendly applicants so managers can catch prime job seekers before they apply at a competitor.

According the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the technology makes it easier to track applicants, and in addition to gathering names and phone numbers, the kiosks can rate an applicant's personality
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"It's wonderful," said Moreen Kellogg, assistant manager at the Wal-Mart off Telegraph. "I see no downside to it."

Angie Broyles, executive leader of team relations at the Target store in Brentwood, said the discount retailer's kiosk system sets up an immediate interview for the applicant if the location is hiring. If the store isn't hiring, an operator will record the applicant's name and information.

"It speeds up the hiring process, and we can make a decision about the applicant at that moment," Broyles said. "A person looking for a job is likely to walk out and apply at a competitor's store. We want to talk to good candidates right away."

The only disadvantage Broyles sees is the applicant not being prepared for the interview.

"People still ask for paper applications, but we encourage them not to use them because the computer applications are easier for us to process," Broyles said.

Rebecca LeClair, a Chicago native, moved to St. Louis in search of work. Hoping to land a full-time position, she used a kiosk recently at the Target store in Brentwood.

"It is much more relaxing than a paper application, and you don't have to bother employees until the end of the process," LeClair said.

Even so, the kiosk she used experienced technical problems, and many of the multiple-choice questions didn't pertain to the job, she said. "I don't see how a person applying as a salesperson or cashier has to worry about leading people," LeClair said.