Job Boards - not just for the technologically gifted
Generation Y, typically described as those born after 1980, have spent a lifetime growing up with new technology. They think nothing of conducting their finances, purchasing goods and socialising online. The internet became their preferred choice for searching and applying for work several years ago. Felix Wetzel, Marketing Director for Jobsite in a recent Onrec article reports that “80% of jobseekers now look online before anywhere else, up from 66% in 2005”.
But what about Generation X? Are the senior executives who are currently running Britain’s private and public companies also benefiting from the speed and ease of application associated with applying for new roles.
Indeed, it seems that they are. And not only are they simply trying it out, (just as if we might take a test car we are never going to buy for a spin), but they are embracing it as an integral and effective way of managing part of their busy lives.
Onrec, the online recruitment monitor, report that Jobsite have almost 300,000 candidates registered as looking for jobs in the Management/Executive sector, a 10% increase on last year*. A cursory look at any of the other major job sites will see time and again entire sections of the sites being dedicated to Executive Recruitment with thousands of jobs being advertised at any one time.
So what’s caused this change of heart?
There are several factors involved. Of course, the fact that the internet is now used in everyday life and that, through the use of palm held mobile devices, obtaining access is now easier than ever has helped. But it is more than that. Executives, along with the rest of the population, have realised that it is simply easier, quicker and more effective to be searching for work on-line.
And of course it’s not one sided, the increase in numbers of executives using these sites is reflected by the number of companies advertising for roles. Companies find it much easier to manage a recruitment campaign online than via use of traditional media (such as newspapers). There is no need to worry about print deadlines, no wait until publication and no delay before responses are received. More importantly perhaps to the advertiser, it is extremely easy to track applications throughout the process and adjust the adverts accordingly. So if it is not bringing in the type of responses required, it can simply be changed.
What of the future?
The trend is most definitely increasing. For both generations (X and Y) it appears the internet is likely to remain the tool of choice when searching and applying for new positions.
*To read the full article Click Here.