What’s so bad about job applications?
It seems that, for some, completing a job applications has become one of the most dreaded stages of applying for a job, turning the interview into a piece of cake. Technology is supposed to make everything fast, nice and comfy, so why is the internet full of complaints?
Well, first of all, technology is not necessarily the problem, according to our survey. When asked ‘What is your biggest frustration when applying for a job?’ our candidate database has pointed out an interesting phenomenon. While technology and social engagement are improving, it seems some very basic human factors of candidate experience are still missing.
So let’s take a closer look at some of the numbers that we crunched up:
The first and most important frustration is still the lack of response when applying for a job. When asked for further information, many of the stories of candidates sound like: “Did not even receive an acknowledgement email” or “Never got a reply about my application or why I was rejected”. Ongoing communication is key to ensure candidates are happy with their application experience, regardless of being selected or not. It shows respect toward your applicants.
To be fair, the usually high number of applicants for a single position does make it difficult for recruiters to follow-up, but there are always solutions. A simple recruiter – candidate communication feature of an ATS or other recruitment software can do the trick by helping recruiters follow-up immediately after screening or moving candidates through the stages of their recruitment process, and giving the much awaited feedback to the candidates. It’s a win-win.
Looking at the other factors that lead to a frustrating application experience, it’s important to acknowledge the dissatisfaction of applicants when it comes to the amount of information they get regarding the employer’s recruiting process. This seems to be a significant frustration for candidates, yet not much attention is paid from the recruiting side. This shows again a lack of communication between the two, which only widens the already existing gap. Transparency is a key concept these days, so it has to start being taken into consideration more often.
From a technical point of view, the main frustrations we notice are related to mobile optimization and the time it takes to apply. So what about that?
Frustrations about mobile optimizations come as no surprise considering that an increasing amount of candidates do check potential jobs on their mobile phone and even apply for jobs. According to LinkedIn’s Infographic on Mobile Recruiting, 64% of active candidates browse career opportunities on social and professional networks, while up to 45% apply for a job and 43% upload their resumes to a job app. How much attention do employers pay to these trends? Only 18% have apparently optimized their job posts for mobile.
Filling out online applications, one after the other, with the same information and no response, may prove to be a waste of time and nerves. Sending emails and cover letters without the reassurance of them being even seen is even more nerve racking. So we can understand the frustration. But what if your candidates could complete your info in a single space, one time, and then apply through one single click to the positions they want? Candidate happiness achieved.
These frustrations will most probably lead to a poor employer branding, therefore they have to start being taken under consideration. So start answering, be transparent, mobile and efficient with a minimum effort and win some old good brand ambassadors while you’re at it.
