Studies show that more people are using their smartphones to apply for jobs, and this trend is not just limited to younger, tech-savvy job seekers. In fact, an Indeed Blog survey revealed that 78 percent of people in the U.S. said they would be willing to apply for a job from their phone.
More than 75 percent of Americans own smartphones, and those who do spend a lot of time using apps. In fact, smartphone users spend just 10 percent of their time on their phones browsing the web—the other 90 percent of the time, they are using apps. This statistic suggests that having a mobile-friendly website is no longer enough to attract the top candidates. For businesses that want to reach more talent, a recruiting app is the answer.
Recruiting apps have enormous potential, and because many companies already utilize some form of digital platform to hire, an app is a natural progression. Mobile apps offer the opportunity to recruit in a way that’s cost-effective and user-friendly. Here, we’ll talk about the main benefits of mobile recruiting apps and how you can make them work for your business.
A Simplified Application Process for Candidates
Mobile recruiting apps can help potential talent discover your job posting and easily apply from their phone. Whether you want to post your job on a popular job board with a companion app, or you are looking to create your own company-branded app, the options are plentiful. Sometimes, finding the right candidates is more about exposure than anything else, at least initially. The more ways you have to publicize an open position, the better the chances of finding the right fit for your company.
Many small business owners start small by using social media to recruit, since these sites offer good exposure to large numbers of job seekers. A LinkedIn study revealed that 64 percent of job candidates look for new career opportunities on social media, thanks to the ease of finding information quickly. However, these platforms weren’t designed for recruiting candidates, with the possible exception of LinkedIn itself.
Job seekers want access to as much company information as possible and ideally, they want to access this information quickly. If the application process is easy, candidates are more likely to apply for your job. A mobile app solves these problems by putting company information and job information all in one place. If your app can address common candidate complaints such as requesting duplicate information—i.e., requiring the applicant to upload a résumé and manually fill in their work history—you will be better positioned to get a wider pool of top-quality candidates.
Benefits for HR Teams
Another major benefit of mobile recruiting apps is the ability to track applicants throughout the recruiting and pre-employment processes. Mobile apps can give the employer the ability to target specific applicants by honing in on specific skill sets and targeting candidates by location. For example, on the employer’s end, GPS can be used to narrow down candidates to a specific area, thereby eliminating people who would have to relocate or commute long distances to do the job.
Mobile hiring apps also make it easier for HR professionals to share applicant data and collaborate on hiring tasks. Collaboration within the app is simple, and colleagues can easily see comments and suggestions from others on the hiring team. This enhanced sharing ability makes it easier to move candidates through the hiring process.
Push notifications are another handy feature of today’s mobile apps, and recruiters can use them to their advantage. Candidates are able to set their notification preferences, and employers can then strategically send notifications to candidates of interest. These notifications allow almost instant communication with candidates and keep them in the loop regarding new positions with your company.
Mobile Apps Improve Analytics
The majority of mobile recruitment apps incorporate an applicant tracking system (ATS) designed to read a variety of file types. This is an important feature that makes the application process infinitely easier, because candidates can upload their résumé and other supporting files in PDF, Word document, RTF and several other formats. The system is able to read data from these various formats and recommend top applicants based on the information. An ATS can also show employers exactly where a candidate is in the pre-employment process.
In addition, employers can use the ATS to search for keywords across all the documents, cover letters, and other information provided by candidates, no matter the format. This streamlines the time-consuming process of performing separate searches of different types of data like email text, digital and paper documents, and answers to screening questions on a company website.
Looking Toward the Future
The recruitment landscape continues to change, and mobile technology is at least partially responsible. It doesn’t matter if you’re a C-Suite executive of a large company or you’re an entrepreneur looking for a few people to enhance your team. At both ends of this spectrum, recruitment apps may be the answer. Job seekers have come to expect digitally advanced hiring processes and have adapted to applying via tablets and smartphones. If people can apply to your open positions via an intuitive and responsive mobile app, you’re more likely to attract the most tech-savvy and qualified candidates.