So you're hiring?

IT companies are complaining about not finding enough skilled people. But how are job candidates being treated during the application process?

Here are a few suggestions. You could ...

not ignore applications.
not keep candidates waiting.
not forget your manners and at the very least match the candidate's politeness.
not use agencies. Isn't recruitment far too vital for your business to be outsourced?
not ask candidates to provide their (also personal, maybe even sensitive) information to third parties by forcing them to use such third partie's magical recruting tools.
not treat the candidate like a supplicant. Chances are, you actually need them.
not introduce your company with nothing more than what can be found on your webpage. Expect candidates to be literate.
not ask candidates to simply present their CV in person. You should have read that already.
not force the candidate into having multiple conversations simultaneously with you and your co-interviewers.
not show off yourself.
not tell candidates you hired somebody else when that is not true. Chances are, they'll know.
not use worn out and at times absurd phrases/text modules. If candidate C is not what you're looking for: Show shome respect and just say so.
not flat out lie to candidates why you won't invite them for an interview or why you won't offer them a job. Be respectful toward candidates. They did already show interest in your company!
not take candidates to be stupid. In general.

Also, be prepared to answer one very important question: Who are you looking for? "Someone who fits in here" is not enough! If you can't answer this question, then how do you think you'll find them?

Well, maybe i really am being too forward here, but i actually had the dubious pleasure of witnessing all of the above. And more, if you can believe it.