Keep It Simple!

Reading other peoples websites to see how they present their business is part of the job - making sure we are not being left behind in the race for talent or service delivery, monitoring innovations, and just being plain nosey. We all do it, of that I am sure.

One thing that has been "trending" is the increasing use of "simple and straightforward" to describe the recruitment service that is delivered.  It got me thinking, in particular about the use of the word "simple" - all service should be straightforward I guess.  What does simple mean?  Well more than you might think for a "simple" word

1. Having or composed of only one thing, element, or part.
2. Not involved or complicated; easy: a simple task.
3. Being without additions or modifications; mere: a simple "yes" or "no."
4. Having little or no ornamentation; not embellished or adorned: a simple dress.
5. Not elaborate, elegant, or luxurious.
6. Unassuming or unpretentious; not affected.
7. a. Having or manifesting little sense or intelligence. b. Uneducated; ignorant.c. Unworldly or unsophisticated.
8. Not guileful or deceitful; sincere.
9. Humble or lowly in condition or rank: a simple woodcutter.
10. Ordinary or common: a simple head cold.
11. a. Being a fundamental or rudimentary element; basic.b. Not important or significant; trivial.
12. A fool; a simpleton.
13. A person of humble birth or condition.

Hmmm not very complimentary for the large part - and I wonder if simple is the best word to describe a process involving the most complex element on the planet - us!  When working with so many variables can an effective selection process afford to be so simple and still yield results?

I accept that the broad overview of recruitment, and to a large part the public perception of the recruitment process is that it is simple - find a job for a person, or find a person for a job - and I guess for some jobs at some levels it really does not get much more complex.  However if the client is a world class employer and they are looking for top performers with potential my guess is that they would want to see a more robust system in place than keeping it simple might allow.

My own thoughts are that the systems, tools and process needs to be appropriate for the role - sufficient to deliver the expected outcome and earn the fee - transparent, honest and ethical always, hardly ever simple.