CV databases: an introduction

What is a CV database? What part does it play in online recruitment? How do you choose a good CV database? How can you use a CV database as part of your recruitment process?

What is a CV database?

A CV database is simply a collection of online CVs which job sites, job boards and stand-alone CV databases hold for their users. Online CVs are largely the same as traditional paper CVs and resumes. They outline the candidate's career history, skill set, education etc. Candidates also allow their online CVs to be viewed by potential recruiters.

Rather like job sites and job boards, CV databases come in various flavours: generalist and specialist, agency and direct, text and now video. What you choose will depend on your needs but a CV database is only as good as the candidates in the database.

Virtually all CV databases shout about the number of CVs they hold, but establishing how many of these CVs will be relevant for you is the key. Job boards and CV databases are increasingly providing this information but, more often than not, you are going to have get on the phone and ask for the information. For your convenience, we provide a listing of CV database suppliers in our Online Recruitment Suppliers Directory.

Using CV databases to recruit.

Using CV databases is pretty straightforward. You search for suitable CVs by inputting your requirements such as job function, industry sector, salary, location etc. The CV database search engine then finds the CVs that match your requirements and brings them back to you. Quite a number of CV databases also allow you to set up alerts so that, as a candidate uploads a CV that matches your requirements, you are notified. Others also provide CV matching services where CVs are automatically matched to your job postings.

There are things to be aware of when using CV databases. If you are looking for an Accountant, for example, you would use "accountant" as your keyword. The CV of a finance assistant might say "reported to the company accountant" and, because it contains your keyword, it will be brought back in the results even though it's not what you are looking for. To address this problem, many CV database suppliers offer snappy technology or artificial intelligence tools to help you get more relevant CVs. But you can do your bit to avoid this problem by being as specific as possible in your search.

How much do CV databases cost?

CV databases generally charge by "views" or "downloads." That is, when you search for CVs the contact details of the candidate are removed or blackened out. If you like the look of a CV and want to see the contact information you have to purchase it. You can be charged a one-off fee of, for example, £100 for 10 CVs you like; or you might have to sign up to a monthly contract (not to be recommended if you only have one or two jobs.) Increasingly, however, many job boards offer CV database access as a part of their standard advertising packages.

How to choose a CV database

There are a number of things to consider when choosing a CV database. Firstly, does it have lots of CVs? Clearly you want a CV database to have lots of CVs because that is the only way you are going to find the right people. But size isn't everything: specialist job boards and their CV databases may not have the same total number of CVs as generalist sites but they may have more relevant CVs for you.

Secondly, are the CVs up-to-date? A candidate may have submitted a CV many many months ago and subsequently got a job, but their CV remains in the database. The CV is effectively out-of-date and, therefore, largely useless. Many CV databases are purged of old CVs, but many are not. This is something you really have to check with each CV database you look at.

Thirdly, don't overpay for the service. Many job boards and CV database operators offer the CV database as a product to recruitment consultants. Their pricing, therefore, can often reflect this. If the CV database is not being offered as part of your job posting package don't pay more than you would for a job ad itself for access to the database.

Recruiting with CV databases

CV databases offer employers another valuable recruitment channel. In choosing a CV database, however, it is important to establish the relevance of their candidate database for your job. And are those candidate details up-to-date? And is it cost effective? There is little point in signing up to a three month contract for access to a CV database if you only expect to make only one hire this year.

Also bear in mind that a CV database is a record of the past. A CV outlines what a candidate has done rather than what they want to do. Recruitment consultants might be able to read between the lines and understand what a CV is actually saying and what a candidate might be good for but, for those with limited experience of recruiting, reading CVs can be difficult.

We would encourage you to talk to a number of different job sites, job boards and CV databases to get an idea of what's available before you spend your money. That way, you'll feel more confident in choosing the right CV database for your vacancy.

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