Interesting fact: 91% of adults have their mobile phone within arm’s reach 24/7.
Weird (but not surprising) fact: 75% of Americans even bring their phones to the bathroom.
Mobile marketing is happening now, and it’s taking the recruiting industry by storm. Our devices have become extensions of our business and ourselves. Smartphones and tablets are bringing job boards to the palms of job seekers worldwide.
Welcome to a new era of recruiting tools! To those who are resistant to change, this is the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into your strategy. You’ve always wanted to be the leader of the pack, right? It’s time to pick up the pace!
Mobile Data Points
Just how much impact is mobile having on job seekers nationwide?
- As of April 2013, 23% of job seekers were using mobile.
- 85% of job seekers believe all companies should have a mobile-friendly career site. (Mobile optimization is the new normal for websites,)
- 45% want to apply for jobs.
- 45 million+ LinkedIn mobile searches occur every month.
- Half the U.S. already uses a smartphone.
One of our favorite little gems: Last year, says CareerBuilder.com, 23% of Google searches containing the word “jobs” came from mobile devices. These job seekers are on the move, they’re actively searching for jobs, and your website is at their fingertips! If nearly one-quarter of all the potential candidates out there can’t apply for, or even view jobs without pinching, zooming and scrolling endlessly, it’s time to think about mobile!
What does your site look like on a smartphone or tablet? Take a look at The Hill Group to see how it’s done right.
The Process
Here’s the good news. Going mobile doesn’t require a lot of work – at least not on your end. The two most common scenarios are:
1. No Website
“I don’t have a website (or if I do, I’m too embarrassed to advertise). I need to make a name for myself, starting with a website. Should I go mobile, too?”
Three words, “first impressions matter.” In recruiting, the whole package matters. The perfect candidate could arrive wearing sweatpants and carrying a Walkman from the 80s. While they’re insanely talented, they don’t care how they look and aren’t interested in keeping up with technology. Don’t be that guy. Investing in your brand, is investing in success.
2. No Mobile Site
“I already have a website. Make me mobile!”
Depending on the age and technology “behind the scenes” of your site, you could be mobile in less than two weeks. However, something else to consider, is the age of your current desktop site. If it’s time for an update, think about rolling out a slick revamp along with the mobile site. You do not want your mobile site to be more robust than the desktop version. A mobile site should be your desktop site in a clear, convenient and neat little package.
(Note: Barb Bruno wrote about the need for every agency to be mobile enabled. See her discussion here.)
The ROI
In recruiting, it is difficult to measure the exact ROI of this type of investment. However here are some numbers to illustrate the harsh truth of a recruiting office without a mobile website.
Our largest client averages 6,268 visits in a week. During that week 10% of visits are via a mobile source (phone or tablet). Seems like a solid number, right? Well, consider the number of bounces from the site. Of the total visits, 1,214 visits made from a mobile device immediately leave the site without interacting with any pages.
Without a mobile friendly website, potential clients may leave your site without bothering to learn more about your business. You have five seconds of loading time before you lose mobile interest.
How to Get Started
The first step is admitting you need an update, whether it’s evaluating your whole brand, or simply recognizing the need to freshen up your image. Then you’ll need a partner. We recommend taking a look at some industry partners with experience in the recruiting space. What matters most is finding the right fit. Here are some tips from our team:
- Keep an open mind – Remember, they know what they’re doing. It’s likely this isn’t their first rodeo.
- Details matter – Your partner should always have your best interest in mind. Their tools should help make your website work for you.
- Look for variety in their portfolio – Your business is unique. Your website concept should be, too.
- Service – Your design partner should have consistent and friendly support that doesn’t end when your project launches.
- Quality – A partner takes pride in the work. If you succeed, your design team does too.