Are you overlooking a key opportunity in attracting top talent? It’s possible your organization is missing out on top talent simply because you aren’t engaging where they are looking for you. Despite the overwhelming number (nearly 70 percent) of job seekers using mobile devices to search for jobs, the majority of organizations don’t adequately engage in mobile recruitment.
A recent study conducted by iMomentous, uncovered that a mere 33 percent of Fortune 500 companies report having mobile-optimized career sites available to job seekers. Even more staggering, “Just 3 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer a way for people to apply for jobs from a smartphone,” explains Ed Newman, vice president of strategy at iMomentous.
The Rise of Mobile Recruitment
In stark contrast, a survey by Glassdoor.com reveals 68 percent of job seekers use their mobile devices to search for jobs at least once a week. Additionally, three in five job seekers report they used their mobile devices to search for jobs within the past year, and 30 percent search for jobs more than once a day from their smartphones.
This is especially true among Generation Y talent. As discussed previously, we know this generation in particular is on the lookout for options, and constantly looking for the next best thing. The question becomes: Will your organization be there when they search.
Three Considerations in Creating a Mobile Search Experience
There are several factors to consider when you create a mobile experience for a top talent job search. It’s important to think like a job seeker, and consider how they would find you on their mobile devices. Think about what they need to see when they find you, and how they can get in touch with you or apply for open positions. Keep the following three important factors in mind when evaluating the mobile search compatibility of your site:
Ensure Your Website is Optimized for Mobile
To find out right away whether your site is optimized for mobile, simply use your own device to visit your website. How long does it take the site to load? Is it easy to navigate, is the text big enough to read, and can job seekers easily find, and apply for, open positions.
Get together with your website developer to discuss your site and to ensure it’s optimized for mobile. You’ll also want to make sure the “Contact Us” section is clearly defined and accessible.
Simplify the Mobile Application Process
When designing a mobile-enabled job application, Newman says the key is to simplify the process for users. That may mean a few changes, such as asking for less information than one would on a career site designed for the typical application experience.
There is perhaps no bigger turn off to a potential job seeker on a mobile device then trying to submit an application or fill out a cumbersome online form with too many fields.
Ensure Job Postings Are Listed on Top Job Board Sites
Sites like Glassdoor.com and Indeed.com are a few examples of top job boards using mobile applications to aid in job searches. When you share job postings online within these sites, they will in turn list them in their mobile apps, which makes them searchable and viewable on any mobile device.
Remember, it’s not your role to build and run a mobile optimized search experience. It is, however, your responsibility to make it simple for job seekers find you, and ensure you don’t miss top talent opportunities due to a lackluster mobile experience.
Has your organization created a mobile optimized experience for potential jobseekers? If not, move fast because you’re missing out on opportunities to attract top talent.