| Attracting the most suitable candidates is a harrowing | | | | appear more personalised. Therefore, responses to |
| task for the human resource management division of | | | | such messages are higher than to advertisements |
| even the best companies. In such a scenario, mobile | | | | using traditional media. Moreover, if a person has |
| phones and recruitment offer synergies that can get | | | | internet access on the mobile phone, he/she can |
| quicker and better results at a lower cost than | | | | immediately send the resume, even while at work. |
| traditional techniques. Mobile HR or mobile recruitment | | | | - No Restrictions: Mobile recruitment operates outside |
| is also being used as an important tool to build the | | | | corporate firewalls and access restrictions. |
| brand value of the company. | | | | Studies show that more than 90% of mobile phone |
| Understanding Mobile Recruitment | | | | users keep their phones within arm's reach through |
| According to UN data, mobile phone subscribers | | | | the day or night. Thus, mobile recruitment allows |
| across the globe would jump to five billion by 2010. In | | | | companies to connect with candidates more |
| 2009, there were 4.6 billion active mobile subscribers, | | | | effectively and enjoy a higher success rate. |
| as compared to 1.2 billion PC users and 1.3 billion | | | | Why Jobseekers Love Mobile Recruitment |
| landline users. Not only are the subscriber numbers | | | | Jobseekers enjoy the following advantages of mobile |
| high, but also that mobile phones have become an | | | | recruitment: |
| integral part of our daily lives. This is because, with | | | | - Privacy: The mobile phone, being a personal device, |
| the latest technological developments, mobile phones | | | | tends to remain in the hands of the user. This |
| have become lighter, more efficient and much more | | | | enables jobseekers to respond to job alerts without |
| convenient. As a result, mobile phones have come to | | | | the danger of colleagues getting to know about it. |
| play a significant role in branding and marketing. | | | | - Convenience: With mobile recruitment, jobseekers |
| Recruiting the right candidate requires similar | | | | do not need to 'hunt' for jobs. They receive |
| endeavours. | | | | messages that are suitable for their profile. They can |
| Mobile recruiting is the process of connecting and | | | | ask initial questions and get a fair idea of the |
| communicating with candidates for the purpose of | | | | company and of the roles and responsibilities without |
| hiring them, using mobile phones. Mobile recruiting may | | | | investing too much time. |
| involve text messaging ( SMS ), video messaging ( | | | | Mobile Recruitment via SMS |
| MMS ), WAP and various applications for mobile | | | | SMS or text messaging is the most commonly used |
| phones. | | | | data application in the world. While less than 1.5 billion |
| Why HR Managers Love Mobile Recruitment | | | | people worldwide use emails, there are 3.5 billion |
| Mobile recruitment is gaining in popularity due to the | | | | users of SMS. Thus, it may prove to be the best |
| advantages it offers. Among these are: | | | | way to reach out to a larger number of candidates. |
| - Low Cost: Sending messages is far more cost | | | | SMS is probably the simplest way to communicate |
| effective than advertising via traditional media, like | | | | the vacancy and job description. This is also the |
| newspapers, magazines or the television. One can | | | | cheapest solution and one with the highest response |
| also explore the options available for free messaging. | | | | rate. |
| - Faster Communication: Mobile messages can be sent | | | | However, SMS alone is not the solution and a |
| in a matter of seconds. Moreover, a person tends to | | | | complete strategy needs to evolve around mobile |
| check his/her mobile phone messages more often | | | | HR. New options are made available every few |
| than emails. People may not check their emails on | | | | months. So, it is crucial for the Human Resources |
| weekends and while on the move. However, they | | | | Management team to remain abreast of the latest |
| typically check mobile phone messages almost | | | | developments. The most effective solutions can be |
| instantly. Mobile recruitment can connect with people | | | | devised if HR managers work closely with mobile |
| anywhere and at anytime. | | | | recruitment software developers. |
| - Higher Response Rate: Mobile phone messages | | | | |