From swipe to hire: How mobile recruitment is streamlining the hiring process

Did you know that out of almost 7 billion smartphone users worldwide, 89% actively use their mobile phones for job hunting? (That’s a vast talent pool right under your fingertip!) 

With smartphone usage skyrocketing globally, mobile recruiting is the most logical next step for companies looking to attract and retain new job seekers. 

But can it work for you? The answer is a resounding yes!

And it’s high time you adapt to the mobile-first world and find opportunities to connect with the best candidates you may never encounter otherwise. 

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive straight into the article and discover how to get started.

What is Mobile Recruiting?

Mobile recruiting is a talent acquisition strategy that capitalizes on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to attract, engage, and hire candidates. 

One of the most popular forms of mobile recruiting is sourcing and job posting applications that allows applicants to download and search for open positions using keywords and intuitive sorting features.

Also, companies can follow many other avenues to engage in mobile recruiting. 

For example, suppose you wish to interact with your job applicants via their mobile devices. In that case, you can utilize text-to-apply campaigns, mobile-first job applications, AI-powered chatbots, FAQ databases, direct text messages to candidates, or even virtual job fairs and interviews. 

Some organizations even develop mobile apps to engage potential hires and generate interest in the company.

With that said, here are three main pillars of mobile recruiting:

• Mobile-optimized Career Site: A mobile-optimized career site is the foundation of a successful mobile recruiting strategy. Your recruitment website should be optimized for mobile devices to ensure candidates can easily navigate it, view job postings, and submit applications. It should also be designed to provide a seamless user experience, with clear and concise job descriptions and easy-to-use application forms.

• Mobile-friendly Job Postings: Mobile-friendly job postings allow candidates to easily view advertisements and apply for jobs using their mobile devices. But, it requires your job descriptions to be concise and easy to read and application forms to be short and straightforward.

• Mobile Communication: Most candidates expect to be able to communicate with recruiters and hiring managers using their mobile devices. This involves answering simple queries, providing feedback, surveys, etc., via mobile channels such as text messages, mobile apps, and social media platforms.

By implementing these pillars, recruiters and hiring managers can attract and engage with candidates on their preferred devices and provide a seamless hiring experience that leads to successful hires.

Traditional vs. Mobile Recruiting

Here is the quick difference between traditional and mobile recruiting: 

Category	Traditional Recruiting	Mobile Recruiting
Channels	Print ads, job boards, referrals, in-person networking	Social media, job apps, texting, push notifications, QR codes
Access	Limited to desktop or laptop computers	Accessible from any mobile device, anytime and anywhere.
Engagement	Mostly limited to active job seekers.	Attracts passive job seekers and those on the go.
Speed	Slow and often involves manual processes	Quick and streamlined with automated processes
Convenience	Requires extensive paperwork and in-person interviews	Enables one-click applications and virtual interviews
Data Collection	Mostly manual and paper-based.	Automated and streamlined data collection
Candidate Experience	Often impersonal and time-consuming.	Personalized right from the beginning.
Cost	High cost due to manual processes.	More cost-effective due to automation and efficiency.
Efficiency	Less efficient	More Efficient

 

This table shows how mobile recruiting offers many benefits over traditional recruiting, including wider reach, faster speed, higher convenience, and lower costs.

However, it’s important to note that traditional recruiting still has its place, especially for specific industries and positions that require a more personal touch.

Why is Mobile Recruiting Important?

Though you may have already analyzed from the above table the significance of mobile recruiting, here is a quick overview:

• Wider Reach: Mobile devices are ubiquitous, which means almost everyone owns a smartphone or tablet nowadays, making it a potential strategy to reach a larger pool of candidates than traditional recruiting methods.

• Faster and More Efficient: Mobile recruiting is faster and more efficient than traditional recruiting methods. It enables recruiters to quickly post job openings, receive applications, and communicate with candidates via mobile devices, saving much time.

• Convenience: It is more convenient for candidates as it enables them to search for jobs and apply for positions using their mobile devices. This means they can easily apply for jobs on the go or during their free time without being tied to a desktop computer or laptop.

• Personalized Experience: Mobile recruitment strategy offers a more personalized experience for candidates. It enables recruiters to communicate with candidates via text messages or mobile apps, which are more personal and direct than traditional methods such as email or phone calls.
• Cost-effective: Mobile recruiting is often more cost-effective than traditional recruiting methods. It eliminates the need for paper-based processes and manual data entry, which can save money on printing and administrative costs.

As per the Pew Research Center reports, younger people are adopting smartphones much faster than older generations, making mobile recruiting an increasingly vital strategy for attracting and retaining Gen-Zs. 

And as mobile technology evolves, mobile recruiting will likely become even more crucial.

Should You Implement Mobile Recruiting Strategies?

Short Answer: Hell, Yes! You should. (Don’t even doubt it.)

Long Answer: Whether or not a company should implement mobile recruiting strategies depends on its specific needs and goals. 

However, given the increasing use of mobile devices in the digitized business world, it is highly recommended that you consider implementing it to attract a wider pool of candidates.

By meeting candidates where they are most comfortable through their preferred channels, you can create a smoother recruiting experience for them and effectively put your connected recruiting strategies into action.

How to Launch Mobile Recruiting Strategies?

Here is a mini eight-step guide to launching an effective strategy:

Step 1: Define Your Goals 

Before launching any mobile recruiting strategy, you must define your goals. What are you hoping to achieve? 

Are you looking to attract more candidates, improve your hiring process, or enhance your candidate experience? 

Identifying and sharing your goals with your hiring team and manager will help you determine your company’s most effective mobile recruiting strategies and keep everyone on the same page.

Step 2: Optimize Your Career Site for Mobile 

Your career site is most candidates’ first contact point. Ensure that it is mobile-friendly and responsive to all mobile devices. Ensure the site’s load times are fast and the navigation is straightforward.

Here are some tips you must follow to optimize your recruitment website:

• Use a Responsive Design: A responsive design ensures your website is easily accessible on any device. It adapts to the device’s screen size, making it easy to navigate and read.
• Keep it Simple: Mobile devices have smaller screens, so keeping your website simple is essential. Avoid using too much text, large images, or videos that may slow down the website’s loading time.
• Use Clear Fonts: Use fonts that are easily read on a mobile device. Stick to simple fonts such as Arial, Verdana, or Helvetica, and ensure the font size is large enough to read on a small screen.
• Optimize Images: Large images may slow down your website’s loading time. Optimize your images by compressing them or using smaller file sizes.
• Use Mobile-friendly Navigation: Use a navigation menu that is easy to use on a small screen. Use a drop-down menu or a hamburger menu to make it easier for your candidates to navigate your website.
• Make it Easy to Apply: Ensure that the application process is mobile-friendly. Create shorter application forms, allow candidates to upload their resumes from their mobile devices, and use a mobile-optimized applicant tracking system.
• Test Your Website: Test it on various mobile devices to ensure it is easy to use and navigate. Use tools such as Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check your website’s mobile responsiveness.

Optimizing your recruitment website for mobile devices ensures that your website is accessible and easy for candidates on the go. This can improve your candidate experience and increase your chances of attracting top talent.

Step 3: Leverage Social Media

Social media and mobile recruiting go hand-in-hand. Ensure your company has active LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram social media profiles. 

You can also use social media platforms to promote job openings, engage with candidates, and build your employer brand.

Here are some valuable tips:

• Define Your Target Audience: Identify your target audience before using social media for mobile recruiting. Who are the candidates you want to attract? What social media platforms do they use? Understanding your target audience will help you determine the most effective social media channels for recruiting.
• Use Engaging Visuals: Visual content such as images and videos perform better on social media than text-based content. Use engaging visuals to catch candidates’ attention and highlight your employer brand.
• Promote Job Openings: Use social media platforms to promote your job openings. Share job postings, company culture, employee testimonials, and other relevant content that showcases your company’s values and workplace culture.
• Engage with Candidates: Engage with candidates by responding to comments and messages. Answer their questions, provide updates about the recruitment process, and offer helpful tips and advice.
• Use Social Media Ads: Social media ads effectively reach a wider pool of candidates. Use targeted LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter ads to reach candidates with specific skills and experience.
• Build Your Employer Brand: Use social media platforms to build your employer brand—share content highlighting your company’s values, culture, and employee experience. You can utilize these online platforms to showcase your company’s achievements and success stories.
• Use Mobile-friendly Content: Ensure that your social media content is mobile-friendly. Use short-form content, such as infographics or short videos, that are easy to view on a mobile device.

Step 4: Use Mobile Job Boards

There are several mobile job board platforms available that you can use to reach a broader audience of “global” job seekers. Some popular platforms include Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter.

But the question is, which hiring platform will work best for you?

These pointers may help in selecting an ideal job board for your company:

• User Experience: A good mobile job board should have a user-friendly interface that allows job seekers to search and apply for jobs quickly. It should be easily navigable and provide job seekers with relevant job recommendations.
• Mobile Responsiveness: It should be optimized for mobile devices, ensuring job seekers can access and use the platform on their smartphones or tablets. The job board should be fast-loading, and the application process should be simple and streamlined.
• Industry Focus: Your ideal job board should cater to your industry and target job seekers in your niche. Choose a platform specializing in your industry or job type to increase the chances of finding qualified candidates.
• Job Seeker Reach: Your job board should provide an opportunity to have a broad reach and attract many job seekers. Look for a job board with a robust candidate database and an extensive social media following.
• Cost: The cost of the mobile job board should be within your budget. Look for a job board offering competitive pricing and value for money.
• Customer Support: The job board should have excellent customer support and be responsive to your queries and concerns. Look for a platform that offers email, phone, or chat support.
• Analytics: The mobile job board should provide detailed analytics on job seeker behavior, application rates, and other metrics that help you evaluate the effectiveness of your recruitment efforts.

Step 5: Use Mobile-friendly Application Processes

Ensure that your application processes are mobile-friendly. This means creating shorter application forms, allowing candidates to upload their resumes from their mobile devices, and using a mobile-optimized applicant tracking system.

Step 6: Use Mobile Messaging

Consider utilizing a texting service for business to engage with job applicants via their mobile devices.

Mobile messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and SMS can be practical tools too. 

You can use these platforms to communicate with candidates, schedule interviews, and provide updates about their application status.

Step 7: Leverage Mobile Video

Mobile videos can effectively showcase your company culture, employee testimonials, and job overviews. Use platforms like YouTube and Vimeo to create and share videos highlighting your company’s values and workplace culture.

Step 8: Analyze and Optimize Your Strategy

Finally, track your mobile recruiting metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of your mobile recruiting strategy. Analyze your data to see where to improve and optimize your strategy.

5 Things to Be Careful of When Implementing Mobile Recruiting Strategies

When implementing mobile recruiting strategies, there are a few things to be careful of to ensure a successful and effective implementation. Below are five things that companies should be cautious about:

• Mobile Optimization: Ensure that all recruitment materials, including job postings, application forms, and career pages, are mobile optimized. If not, candidates may face difficulty accessing the content, leading to a negative candidate experience.

• Security and Privacy: Mobile recruiting involves using personal devices and mobile networks, potentially compromising the employer’s and candidate’s privacy and security. Organizations must take appropriate measures to ensure that confidential information is protected and the candidate’s data is secure.

• Candidate Experience: Maintaining good candidate experience should be your priority when implementing mobile recruiting strategies. Candidates should be able to easily access and apply for positions through their mobile devices without any difficulties. Therefore, ensuring that the entire mobile recruitment process is user-friendly and hassle-free is essential.

• Consistency: The mobile recruiting process should be consistent with the overall recruitment workflow of the company. This includes maintaining the same branding, messaging, and quality standards as in other marketing channels.
• Technology: Mobile recruiting strategies often involve AI and technology, like in job search apps and chatbots. So, ensuring that the software and tools used are reliable, up-to-date, and easy to use is essential.

By being cautious of these pointers, you can ensure your mobile recruiting strategies are successful and effective, leading to better talent acquisition outcomes.

Top 6 Mobile Recruiting Tips to Consider in 2024

Top mobile recruiting tips to enhance your candidate attraction and retention strategies in 2024 are

• Gamify the Application Process: Gamification can make the application process more engaging and fun. Use gamification elements such as quizzes or challenges to attract job seekers’ attention and make the application process more interactive.

• Leverage Chatbots for Candidate Engagement: Chatbots can respond instantly to candidate inquiries and streamline the application process. Use chatbots to answer frequently asked questions, provide application status updates, and offer personalized support to job seekers.

• Use Augmented Reality (AR) for Virtual Interviews: AR technology can be used to conduct virtual interviews, making it easier for applicants to participate in the recruitment process. AR can also provide virtual workplace tours or showcase your products or services.

• Personalize the Candidate Experience: Use personalization techniques such as targeted job recommendations and customized email campaigns to provide a personalized candidate experience. This can help you attract suitable candidates and improve your recruitment efforts.

• Use Social Media Influencers: Social media influencers can promote your employer brand online and attract top talent. Partner with influencers with a large following in your industry and use their platforms to showcase your company culture and job openings.

• Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Recruitment: AI can streamline recruitment by automating resume screening and candidate matching tasks. Use AI tools to help you identify the best candidates and improve recruitment efficiency.

What is Mobile Recruiting Software? 

Mobile recruiting software is a type of software that is designed to help companies manage their recruitment process using mobile devices. 

It typically offers features such as job posting, candidate management, resume screening, interview scheduling, and communication tools- all accessible through a mobile device.

Using mobile recruiting software, recruiters can post job openings on multiple job boards, manage candidate applications, communicate with candidates, schedule interviews, and even make job offers using their mobile devices.

Moving forward, here is a brief explanation of how most mobile recruiting software work:

• Job Posting: The software allows recruiters to create and post job openings to various job boards and social media platforms directly from their mobile devices. This helps to attract a larger pool of candidates and increase visibility for job opportunities.

• Candidate Management: Mobile recruiting software provides tools for managing candidate applications and resumes. Recruiters can review resumes, sort candidates, and track their progress through recruitment.

• Resume Screening: AI-enabled mobile recruiting software uses machine learning algorithms to screen resumes and identify the best candidates based on specific job requirements. The software can also help to eliminate bias by removing personal information such as name and address from resumes.

• Interview Scheduling: Mobile recruiting software provides tools for scheduling interviews, sending reminders, and rescheduling appointments. This helps to streamline the interview process and ensures that candidates are informed and prepared for their interviews.

• Communication: It provides communication tools for recruiters to stay in touch with candidates throughout the process. Recruiters can send personalized messages, answer questions, and provide updates on the status of their applications.
• Analytics and Reporting: Mobile recruiting software provides analytics and reporting tools to help recruiters track the effectiveness of their recruitment efforts. The software can generate reports on key metrics such as applicant sources, time-to-hire, and candidate demographics.

While choosing an ideal mobile recruiting software for your agency, ensure it offers all the above features. 

Why can Recruit CRM be Your Best Choice?

Recruit CRM can be an excellent choice for recruiters when it comes to mobile recruiting for several reasons:

• Mobile-friendly Platform 

Recruit CRM is a cloud-based platform accessible from any device, given it has an internet connection, including smartphones and tablets. The platform is optimized for mobile devices, providing a seamless user experience.

• Mobile App 

It also has a mobile app available on Android and iOS platforms. The app allows recruiters to manage their recruitment process on the go, including managing candidate applications, scheduling interviews, and sending messages.

• Resume Parsing

This ATS+CRM software uses AI and machine learning algorithms to parse resumes and extract relevant information, making it easier for recruiters to review and manage candidate applications.

• Social Media Integration

Recruit CRM integrates with social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, allowing recruiters to source candidates and post job openings on these platforms efficiently.

• Analytics and Reporting 

Also, it provides analytics and reporting tools that enable recruiters to track their recruitment metrics, including time-to-hire, applicant sources, and candidate demographics. This helps recruiters to make data-driven decisions and improve their recruitment processes.

Overall, Recruit CRM offers a user-friendly, mobile-first solution for recruiters to manage their recruitment process, providing the flexibility and convenience needed in today’s fast-paced job market.

Want to know more about Recruit CRM? Book a free live demo session with us!

Future Trends of Mobile Recruiting to Look Forward to

Here are some trends companies should be prepared for: 

• More Immersive Recruiting Experiences: Mobile recruiting will incorporate immersive technologies and strategies like virtual and augmented reality to provide candidates with a more engaging and interactive experience. This could include virtual job fairs, company tours, and job simulations.

• Greater Use of AI and Automation: As AI and automation evolve, they may play an even more significant role in recruitment. For example, AI algorithms will create more accurate candidate profiles and match them with suitable job openings.

• Increased Focus on DE&I: In the future, the workforce will likely be even more diverse than it is today. Mobile recruiting strategies must reflect this by using AI to eliminate bias in the recruitment process, creating more targeted recruitment campaigns, and providing a more inclusive candidate experience.

• More Personalized and Predictive Recruitment: Mobile recruiting may incorporate more predictive analytics to identify high-potential candidates and provide personalized experiences. For example, mobile recruiting software may be able to analyze a candidate’s past behavior to predict their future performance in a role.

• Increased Emphasis on Remote Work: With the rise of remote work, mobile recruiting may need to adapt to accommodate candidates who prefer to work from home or other remote locations. This may involve video interviews and other remote technologies to assess candidates’ skills and fit.

Overall, mobile recruiting is likely to be even more technology-driven, personalized, and focused on creating a diverse and inclusive workforce in the future. 

To wrap up, remember-

“Mobile recruiting is the free passport to the world of talents, where the possibilities are endless, and the best candidates are just a tap away.”

Ensure you are equipped with future-proof tools and strategies to best use this technological revolution.