MeritTrac makes hiring easy

BANGALORE: Following the success of its dedicated assessment center for HP's Global Delivery center, India in Bangalore, MeritTrac Services plans to replicate this model and would be tying up with around six companies next year. Declining to name the companies, MeritTrac Director, Madan Padaki informed that these companies include global organizations with a sizable BPO presence and also Indian IT majors.

Elaborating on the "offshore dedicated assessment center" concept started by the company, he said, "With the war for talent going on in the industry, it is important for prospective employees to experience the power of the company's brand. We are able to control this brand experience at the dedicated center compared to a job fair."

He also added that the processing time taken for a candidate right from taking up the assessment test and knowing the result is reduced. "Within a day, a candidate would know if she has made the grade and can walk out with the offer letter on the same day," said Padaki.

Started as an experiment in October, this center has already tested 5,000 candidates, of whom 250 were selected to work at HP. The dedicated center provides a flavor of the company and candidates can browse through brochures and get better acquainted with HP. "At HP, we call this a total applicant experience," said HP contact center HR head N Narasimham. He added that it has led to reduction in lead-time for HP and also a tremendous feel-good atmosphere for applicants.

Taking a futuristic view of recruitment in the coming years, Padaki reckoned that hiring would get more brand and sales and marketing oriented rather than being HR focused.

In 2005, MeritTrac plans to expand its presence (both direct and through partnerships) internationally in Asia, Africa and the US. Also on the cards is the launch of its retail certification programs. To take these plans forward, the company plans to raise its first round of funding in the region of between $one million and $four million next year.