TLNT recently reported on a new study by Potentialpark that found that 19 percent of job seekers use their mobile device for career activities, and 50 percent could see themselves doing so in the future.
Here's the kicker: This was a global study of students, graduates, and early career professionals.
Now, without taking an in-depth look at the study, and setting aside for a moment the fact that the survey might have included a bunch of kids in Norway or Finland, it shouldn't be surprising. However, what you might stop and consider is how much they could actually do from their mobile devices. And this is why you should be concerned.
While many sites can show a listing of open jobs, far fewer are actually functional from a mobile device. So while someone might be able to see your jobs from a phone, she can't really do anything until she gets back to her computer.
Julian Ziesing, a spokesperson for Potentialpark, summed it up pretty well. He said, "Much like the employer brand, refusing to create a mobile recruiting strategy doesn't stop employers from having one. It simply becomes one they don't control."
What a perfect way to sum it up. This is the way of the future for employment brands, social media recruiting, and now, apparently, just plain old recruiting. If you don't actively create a mobile recruiting strategy, the market will create one for you, and in some cases, it won't be the one you would want.
But I also see this as a warning to those who don't have a multifaceted recruiting approach. If 50 percent could imagine themselves using their mobile device to find jobs, what about the other 50 percent?
The study also noted that only 7 percent of corporate career sites are optimized for mobile devices. So if you haven't optimized your site yet, it would appear you're not too far behind the curve.
This all boils down to the need for a comprehensive recruiting strategy that takes into consideration that one size does not fit all for job seekers. While you might not be ready for an all-out mobile strategy today, if you are in an industry that is looking to attract younger workers, mobile specialists, or those who would interact with your company online, maybe you should consider it.
Whatever you do, there are a few questions you should ask job seekers to help you decide where to make investments: How did you find us? What tools did you use in your job search?
