Since February 2010, the number of job-seekers with smartphones has risen from 43% to 76% - almost doubling in two years. Whilst this is not necessarily surprising considering the current surge in technology for smartphones, what are the implications of this on job sites and the recruitment sector as a whole?

A recent survey by Jobsite found that a third of job-seekers currently applying for jobs do so via their mobile. On Jobsite alone this number has risen from 31,300 in January 2011 to 76,219 in January 2013. Mobile visits to Jobsite have increased even more substantially increasing from 366,277 in January 2011 to 1,997,486 in January 2013. With 1 in 5 job searches carried out on a mobile device, there is a clear shift in how job hunters not only look and apply for jobs but also in their attitude towards the job hunt.

So how are mobile job-seekers using these sites?

Despite job-seekers increasingly turning to their mobile throughout their job hunt, a study found that 60-70% of large firms are not tracking how mobile is used throughout their hiring process. It is however, essential that companies understand what mobile job-seekers are doing on their sites so that they not only provide the best experience but also, so that they don’t lose out on talent. So how are job-seekers approaching their hunt via mobile?

• 70% of candidates want to be able to apply for a job using a mobile device
• 62% browse for jobs
• 45% find out more about potential employers
• 27% get email alerts for jobs
• 19% check salary

But many of the sites job-seekers are searching on are yet to be set up for mobile. Kevin Wheeler wrote in 2012 of his own experience job hunting via a mobile:

“When I tried recently to see what the experience of mobile job seeking was like, I soon discovered that websites required me to scroll everywhere and that the buttons they wanted me to click on were way too tiny for my big fingers. Videos were too large to stream without taking lots of time -when there were any videos at all. There was no way to apply for the job without logging into a desktop computer, setting up an account, and filling out a long form.”

As Kevin’s experience shows there is a way to go before the job hunter receives an exceptional mobile candidate experience.

But what does this say about job-seeker expectations?

This growing shift to mobile reveals that the job hunters, like consumers, are increasingly looking for a faster and simpler approach to their search. They expect sites to be easily accessible on all platforms; to be able to fill out applications on-the-go; to have the option of job alerts straight to their mobiles - they want to be able to simply and effectively communicate with their choice job sites and organisations via any device from any location. In short, a society that has become increasingly used to receiving information in a faster, simpler and more user friendly format now expect this from their job search also. The importance of mobile to any recruiting strategy can no longer be ignored as the ‘Mobile Recruiting Guide’ by Matt Alder and David Martin impress:

“Considering that 60% of potential candidates reached are consuming social recruiting messages from their mobile, it is a significant opportunity for companies to optimize their career sites and in so doing increase conversions. Over the next 18 months those companies that fail to migrate to mobile will see the success of their social recruiting endeavours significantly decline. On the upside, those who tailor their application workflow to be mobile friendly will instantly see an increased return from their current level of social recruiting investment.”

The job hunt is no longer only carried out at home, its on-the-move and to successfully compete for talent it is essential that all aspects of recruitment reflect this.

Sourced from: http://www.mysteryapplicant.com/2013/04/26/mobile-recruiting-its-no...