All industries have undoubtedly evolved due to the introduction of the internet and human resources are certainly not exempt. Job search behavior has dramatically changed as technology has progressed but research has found that many employers and HR professionals are still relying on older, traditional methods of seeking and attracting talent.
The joint study conducted by The Boston Consultancy Group and Recruit Works Institute looked at jobseeker trends and found that a third of employees who switched jobs in 2014 rated internet sites at the most effective outlet for finding a new job posting. The study questioned more than 13,000 people from 13 countries in order to get a clear reading on channels used throughout the job search, time spent and the income change experienced within different regions.
Each year, approximately 20 percent of workers worldwide end up changing jobs and 55 percent of those jobseekers cited internet recruitment sites as their go to for postings.
The United Kingdom jobseekers serve as an example of how to use this new kind of technology advantageously. Fifty-two percent of respondents stated that internet job sites were most effective and most important when it came to finding a new job.
When UK citizens were questioned about the length of time their job search lasted, respondents reported spending an average of about 14 weeks, between nine weeks of research and applications and five weeks until an offer was received.
In addition to searching and perusing these different online feeds, jobseekers are also able to subscribe to numerous job updates, which are sent via email.
Although most employers seem to understand the importance of the internet, the survey found that HR professionals were failing to capitalize on the shift when it comes to attracting and finding new talent. Many employers are still relying heavily on referrals and word of mouth but the introduction of the internet allows companies to process a much higher volume of applications at a much faster rate than ever before. These job postings are also able to reach more people than ever before, potentially even better talent.
HR experts feel as though using the internet in job searching is still a fairly new concept and although many employers and companies have yet to adapt, at a certain point in time they probably won’t have any other choice.
