Recruitment jobs are going mobile

Thursday Nov 8

Mobile phones are no longer just mobile phones, there mobile media centres with the functionality to browse the internet, receive e-mails, take photos and video footage. Job seekers generally will think about their jobs and careers in general whilst at work, but browsing recruitment sites at work for new jobs would not be advisable on a regular basis. This is one explanation why 6% of web searches on the on mobile phones were for people looking for jobs

There are a staggering 15 million WAP users in the UK and 30% of the Uks 43 million mobile phone subscribers use their phone to search the internet. These figures are only likely to grow. Some of the more forward thinking recruitment jobs sites have already embraced these trends adding text alert systems to their databases to send out a text alert when a new job matches a particular candidates profile. In addition, once a candidate has registered a profile once, future applications can be made at the click of your stylus without the need to fill out further forms, making it more than feasible whilst on the move.

Visibility remains an issue, the likes of google and msn have adapted their pages to appear more readable on the small screen of a smart phone. Similar adaptations to jobs boards may give the boards an advantage over competitors as the mobile trends continue to rise.

The future for jobs in recruitment is bright for those able to adapt to the new technology. In the past, the mere thought of having to trawl a newspaper and subsequently write a letter and CV to send to apply for a job was enough to put many off. Now, one could receive a job alert by text at 8.30am whilst on a train to work for a job posted by the recruiting manager at 8.28am, and have a full application with CV on the recruiting managers desk by 8.32am. From a recruitment perspective, this means it is infinitely easier to mobilise large sections of workforces than in the past.

In the last 10 years, there has been a decline in the 'job for life' as business becomes more ruthless on it's treatment of employees to survive in ever more competitive markets. Companies making redundancies one year, only to recruit again the next are no uncommon. Now, the advance of mobile technology means the employee is biting back, it's never been easier to apply for jobs using mobile internet technology. Who knows what the future holds. In the scenario above, perhaps by 8.34 you'll be conducting a web based interview over a web cam on your mobile phone and digitally signing your new contract by 9.30am!