Smartphone penetration has reached 67% according to the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) and tablet penetration has reached 22%. Add to this ComScore estimating that between 20% and 30% of all recruitment pages are currently viewed via a mobile device – enabling effective interaction via mobile devices is now a necessity.
Right place, right time
In this market, timing is now critical. As the economy improves, employers are increasingly aware of their staff looking for new opportunities – with the vast majority of job applications being made out of hours. The organisation that responds first, wins as market competition is encouraging consultants to work via mobile out of hours.
Providing consultants with secure, password enabled mobile access to the full depth of candidate and client information is becoming essential. There is no doubt this is a cultural change that will need to be considered and addressed. But continuing to work traditional nine to five hours is going to be a fast track to failure if the competition is proactively tracking applications out of hours and getting candidates in front of clients first.
Going the extra mile
From using a client company hyperlink to get a map and directions, to enabling a full candidate database via mobile when in a client meeting; the way consultants engage with clients can take significant steps forward. Mobile technologies allow consultants to provide higher levels of service during onsite client meetings, including recording in-depth information on the spot and running database searches of potential candidates. For temporary jobs or short term contracts this real time activity provides a clear commercial edge.
Consultants’ use of time outside of the office is further maximised by completing internal office processes on the move. But this model can be extended even further using the full extent of mobile automation where after receiving a new role push notification, the candidates can then read the assignment and confirm if they would like to take it or not.
In the temporary market, the system can automatically confirm the job to both candidate and employer and send time and place details. The process is streamlined, effective and rapid –freeing up consultants to undertake the value added roles of client and candidate acquisition. No one disputes that mobile is changing the way in which recruitment consultancies interact with candidates . Those consultancies that are willing to exploit anywhere, anytime access to information and automation will steal a march on the competition.
