Why Mobile Recruitment is a Must

Mobile recruitment: We don’t need to tell you how often people look at their phones. It’s the 21st century and too many of us seem to be in an intimate relationship with their smartphone. Whether we like it or not though, mobile recruitment has become increasingly important in HR. It’s time to tap into the game of mobile recruitment and find out why mobile is a must. 

Some stats on mobile recruitment

Let’s start with some stats to get an idea of the mobile recruitment situation. When it comes to modern-day job seekers:

1. Over 90% of them use their mobile devices to look for that dream job
2. 45% does so on a daily basis, while
3. A mere 89% of those who are job-hunting believe that mobile devices are a crucial part of the job seeking process

It’s interesting (and entertaining) to see where people use their phones to look for their next big career break:

Source: Jobvite’s Job Seeker Nation Study 2016

What is mobile recruitment?

Mobile recruitment is recruitment through the use of a mobile device. A well-functioning and easy to use mobile experience helps candidates to find and apply for jobs. This mobile experience covers the entire package: from job postings to the actual application process, including the mandatory document upload; all of it needs to be mobile-friendly. Here’s why.

1. It’s the (only) way to reach generations Y, Z and beyond

Millennials are (soon to be) the biggest part of every organization’s workforce. Generation Z – also known as the Post-Millennials – is starting to hit the labor market as interns or junior level employees as we speak.

While Millennials grew up during the rise of the mobile phone and the internet, generation Z was born with a smartphone in their left and a WiFi code in their right hand. Needless to say, all of them find the use of a mobile device as natural as having a coffee.

Indeed, Millennials check their phones more than 157 times per day! This is five times higher than the average adult.

If you want to appeal to – and hire – talent from these generations, a smooth mobile recruitment process is essential. It’s what they’re used to for everything else in their lives, so they’ll expect nothing less from their future employer. 

2. Mobile recruitment allows you to tap into the potential of Socials

Socials being social media of course. 79% of job seekers use some kind of social channel when they’re on the hunt for a job. For those who are in the first decade of their working lives, this number rises to 86%.    

Since mobile and social go hand in hand, you can see why it’s important to make social media part of your mobile recruitment strategy. The possibilities are endless and go way beyond ‘oldies’ like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

New, hybrid forms of social networks are starting to pop up. Take Bumble for example, initially a female-first connection platform for love and friendship. The company recently launched Bumble Bizz – or the Millennial LinkedIn as some say. It promises ‘A fresh take on networking that brings the swiping and women first experience to professional connecting.’ 

3. It boosts the candidate experience

A streamlined mobile recruitment process is a big boost for the oh so important candidate experience. It simplifies the application process and enables applicants to literally apply when and where it suits their busy lives best.

But it’s more than just convenience. Companies that are on point when it comes to mobile recruitment come across as digital & tech-savvy. This, in turn, has a positive effect on job seekers’ perception of the organization. 

4. The value of video interviewing

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Video interviews are on their way to become an inherent part of mobile recruiting. Mostly because:

1. They save time & money for both employer and candidate
2. It’s easier to get an idea of someone’s energy and charisma
3. If you ask applicants to record a short video as part of the application process and they are willing to do so, this tells you something about their motivation
4. They remove the chances of someone not showing up

Skype and Google Hangouts are classic, useful (and free) tools for mobile video interviews, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. If you want a list of other types of video interviewing software, go here.

Related: Interested in a job in the field? Check Jooble!

5. The power of text messages

This one may be a bit unexpected, but text messages are a powerful tool when it comes to recruiting and engaging with candidates. No less than 98% of sent text messages are being read. As such, they are a great way to:

1. Touch base with applicants
2. Schedule assessments & interviews
3. Keep in touch with candidates during the (long) recruitment process

Part of the reason why text messages are so successful is probably that they’re less intrusive than a phone call, but still personal enough to be read (and sometimes even answered).

Time to go mobile

A mobile recruitment strategy – like any other type of strategy – requires some careful thought. It is an absolute must however in any digital recruitment master plan. Not just because of today’s tech-savvy, mobile orientated (millennial and generation Z) workforce, but also because it simply is the way forward.