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New Web-based Application Facilitates Employee Recruitment Efforts

Milwaukee Goodwill Earns Goodwill Industries International 2007 Technology Connections Award

June 26, 2007

Rockville, MD – The Internet continues to influence how businesses attract and hire employees, and the effectiveness of a new web-based recruitment application has earned the Goodwill Job Network in Milwaukee, WI, the 2007 Technology Connections Award from Goodwill Industries International.

An Internet application at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee) was launched in January 2007 to offer potential employees easy access to Goodwill job opportunities through an online application process, help the Goodwill meet affirmative action obligations by providing a simple way to collect demographic information, and streamline the overall hiring process.

Prior to the implementation of the system, individuals applying for a job had to complete a paper application and drop it off in person, at an application terminal or in a Goodwill retail store. According to Jim Andreoni, Vice President of Information Technology at the Milwaukee Goodwill, the new web application is much more user-friendly and accessible.  “Anyone with a computer can now apply online, which is particularly valuable for individuals who have a disability or transportation issue,” he says.

The application encourages users to provide more in-depth demographic data, which has resulted in more information being captured than when using a strictly paper process, says Andreoni. As an affirmative action employer, the Goodwill can more readily identify under-represented populations such as women, minorities and persons with disabilities to interview.

“Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin is a leader in creating program efficiencies through technology,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “By using technology to improve the way we do business, Goodwill agencies everywhere can make leaps in productivity where we might have only taken steps before.”

The flow of information between an applicant and the human resources department is also streamlined. The human resources coordinator has reduced her workload by 20 percent while at the same time evaluating applications more efficiently and contacting potential candidates earlier. Additionally, a storage feature allows job applicants the ability to make changes to their application and apply for multiple positions at any time.


The purpose of the Technology Connections Award is to recognize, reward and share best practices for carrying out the fourth strategy of the Goodwill Industries 21st Century Initiative: Focus on technology training and resources as a means of workplace success.