Businesses are failing to accurately assess the skills base of their recruiters, according to new research.

The study by Executive Online found that the skills of recruiters are vaguely and unscientifically assessed, despite the potentially significant impact upon the economy’s success.

Almost half (46%) of organisations are using “rather arbitrary methods which completely fail to address the real issues”, the survey claimed.

Almost three quarters (73%) of firms do not measure the quality of candidates hired while 81% do not assess the standard of applicants, despite escalating costs. It can cost £30,000 to hire a senior executive, for example.

Former Sales and Marketing Director of the Post Office, Gordon Steele underlined the inadequacy of this strategy, given the higher standards in sales and IT.

“Whilst the vast majority of companies automatically have procedures in place to carefully monitor the achievement of sales, marketing and IT functions, for instance, it is surprising how very little attention is paid to measuring recruitment, given the relatively large budgets involved.”

Managing Director of Executives Online suggested “a general apathy in the market” could be responsible for this failure to measure and target key skills.