The $3.2 billion recruitment industry is hindering the growth of Australian businesses, says Toby Marshall, founder of Abacus Recruitment and author of Get Great People: your roadmap to hiring the best.

“We’ve got high under-employment on the one hand and people screaming for staff on the other. While I acknowledge there are pockets of skill shortages, what’s really blocking [growth] is an inefficient recruitment industry in the middle.”

He advises jobseekers to notify employers directly if recruitment consultants provide poor service. “The most disgusting aspect is candidates phone calls are never returned, which really damages the whole process. You’re left hanging without any understanding of why you didn’t get the job.”