Case Study: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory achieves a 19-day cut in time-to-hire and 36% reduction in assessment costs with Shortlister

Dstl cut assessment costs by 36% while reducing time to hire by 19 days

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a UK government agency that recruits up to 100 graduates a year, needed to overhaul its graduate selection to save time and money, increase capacity and remove barriers for applicants. Shortlister was engaged as a consultative partner to provide its Video Interviewing solution and to guide change management across staff and stakeholders.

Shortlister’s Video Interviewing platform simplified progression, cutting time-to-hire by 19 days (from 16.7 to 13.7 weeks), reducing assessment costs per candidate by 36% (saving £35k in 2017/18) and removing 240 hours of administrative work. Dropouts fell 21% (saving £22,700) with retention through the selection cycle as high as 94% and no-shows reduced from 113 to 14; diversity improved with a 4% rise in female applicants and a 2% increase in candidates with a disability. Dstl is now embedding Shortlister across wider recruitment, including apprenticeships and senior roles.

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Kat Ward

Talent Acquisition and Planning Advisor