Sanyo to 'weed out' net phobics with online aptitude test

Sanyo plans to use the internet to screen college graduates who apply for jobs, as part of its world-wide recruitment programme.

Sanyo plans to use the internet to screen college graduates who apply for jobs, as part of its world-wide recruitment programme.

The company, which until last year screened graduates through written tests, will require applicants to complete an online questionnaire to test their net aptitude.

A Sanyo spokesperson said: "This way we can screen more students more cheaply and simultaneously weed out applicants who are not computer-literate." Sanyo will select about 10 per cent of applicants who take screening tests on the internet for formal interview.

The company no longer prints corporate pamphlets for college students - information about the company is available only on its website, which potential applicants must read before taking the aptitude test. "Computer literacy, including internet skills, is required of all applicants," the spokesperson said.

Sanyo is following the lead of other Japanese technology companies including Sony, which has been hiring technical and engineering staff through the internet since last year.

IT recruitment analyst Tom Collette of Interface Recruitment estimates that 80 per cent of IT jobs will be screened through the internet within five years. "Technology is considered as pervasive in a good employee's life - a lack of interest in the internet outside work is seen by some companies as suspect - after all how can you install technology at work, but refuse to use it in your home," Collette said.