People are relying more and more on mobile devices to interact with the world around them – and this trend now applies to the job search process. According to Mashable - mobile job hunting is set to be the new normal. 

“More and more people are using mobile for all computing and online activities – online job applications are the norm now. Gone are the days of simply walking into a workplace and filling out an application.  Applying online is now requisite in most pre-hire situations, and with over 7 billion mobile devices out there, applying vai mobile should be an obvious standard” – Rayanne Thorn, Vice President of product marketing and strategy at Technomedia Talent Management.

Advantageous for Candidates

Applying to a job via mobile is designed to help the candidate.  By setting up job alerts you can be kept updated in real time on job opportunities that meet your search criteria (including skills and location).  Now you can apply straight away and be at the top of an employers list! 

However be cautious not to act on impulse!  Each CV must be tailored to each job (not just one generic CV).  Make sure that you have your latest CV stored on your mobile device.  You can store your CV on a cloud (like Google Docs or Dropbox) or have an online CV such as on LinkedIn or a PDF in WordPress.

Something else to keep in mind when your applying for a job via mobile is to make sure that your digital footprint is squeaky clean.  A growing number of employers are now using Google for screening job candidates, particularly their social media presence.  What you say and do online (or not, if you don’t have a presence at all) could prevent you from getting an interview.

Job Coconut tip:

• Make sure your online footprint says the right things about you. Google yourself and check what comes up.  There are many methods that you can employ to clean up your online presence.   For example, use Facebook’s new “view as” button (found under “edit profile” settings) to see how non-friends see you – and adjust the privacy settings accordingly. 

Huge Opportunities for Employers

Last year’s Mobile Recruiting Insights Conference reported that only 26 of the Fortune 500 companies offer a mobile-optimised job application process.  This landscape is set to change rapidly.  Companies need to get serious about creating mobile-optimised sites for job candidates.  A mobile-optimised site is more than just a mini version of the company’s website but a site that mobile-friendly i.e. you don’t need to pull and drag at the screen and that it’s quick to load.

Job Coconut Tips:

• If your site isn’t optimised for mobile, candidates will go elsewhere.  If candidates can’t find what they’re looking for on your site, they’ll seek out a competitor’s mobile-friendly site instead of switching to a PC to revisit yours.
• A bad mobile experience can damage a company’s brand.  People feel frustrated and annoyed when they happen across a site that’s not mobile friendly. 

Looking for a new job?  Register with the Job Coconut website now for access to over 1,100 job opportunities throughout Europe! And yes… we are on mobile ;)

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