Recruitment reforms put talent on stream at River Island

Purpose – Demonstrates how technology can improve the recruitment process in a large organization. Design/methodology/approach – Discusses how the replacement of a paper‐based system with online technology greatly improved recruitment efficiencies and the candidate experience at high‐street retailer River Island. Findings – Reveals that, because of the high volume of applications received, the organization acknowledged it needed to revise and refresh its approach to recruitment. Practical implications – Explains that the company teamed up with online recruitment and resourcing expert Changeworknow to design a system to meet the needs of the brand. Reveals that the combined impact of moving from a manual to a technology‐led process, and transferring recruitment from front‐line managers to HR, has improved the process to the extent that the system is being expanded across the organization. Shows how technology can help to overcome the challenges associated with seasonal recruitment. Originality/value – Describes how a robust, flexible and candidate‐focused recruitment system is enabling River Island to attract and sign up the most talented people.