Workers say social media ads, smartphone apps, virtual job fairs and employer webchats or skills assessments are key to finding opportunities online
Yet despite growing confidence in tech-driven hiring tools, 19% of candidates still select in-person interviews as their number one choice to interact with a new employer
Technology can provide a better experience for today’s job-seekers, provided it is tailored to candidates and combined with an in-person approach, finds new research from ManpowerGroup Solutions, a company part of ManpowerGroup. Global talent shortages have reached a 12-year high, with 45% of employers struggling to fill open positions. In Singapore, 56% of employers are struggling to fill open positions, the highest rate in 10 years. Skilled workers are in the driver's seat and employers need to work hard to find and attract candidates. To understand the experience jobseekers want when applying for new roles, ManpowerGroup surveyed over 750 individuals aged 18-65 in Singapore.
"We asked what candidates want from their job search and they told us they expect to find a job in the same way they consume other services, with a personalized, yet tech-centered approach,” said Linda Teo, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore.
The top HR technology used by jobseekers in Singapore are social media ads (30%), followed by smartphone app (24%) and texting with a company (15%). 73% of Early HR Tech Adopters have clicked on social media ads in Singapore, versus 30% of average candidates. The high rate of engagement with social media ads implies even passive candidates can be lured to click on targeted job advertisements even when they might not be actively job hunting.
“Singapore has one of the highest social media penetration rates globally. With every mobile device being either 3G or 4G enabled, Singapore presents opportunities for employers to use digital platforms to engage and enhance the job search experience for potential candidates, especially young adults who are increasingly using their smartphones to complete transactions,” said Ms Teo.
HR technology is popular amongst candidates in the Asia Pacific region as well, especially in Malaysia and India, with candidates in both countries using HR technology above global average levels. Aside from social media ads and smartphone apps, text messaging with companies are popular in India and Malaysia. Surprisingly, job seekers in Japan, known for its tech-savviness, prefer more traditional job search methods.
"People are searching for jobs on multiple channels. To attract the very best candidates, employers should use algorithms and contextual re-targeting, which means using a candidate’s browsing history and correlating this to career interests. A customized strategy is the only way to go, blending great technology and great personal experiences. This is what creates a stand out candidate experience,” Ms Teo added.
The best organizations are using predictive algorithms to serve ads based on a user’s browsing history and articles read. Personalizing ads to fit an individual’s skills and interests leads to greater efficiency and accuracy. The report finds delivering a personalized and tailored message is key: 19% of candidates in Singapore say in-person interviews are their number one choice of interaction with a new employer. When culture and purpose are key priorities for candidates in choosing their next role, the face-to-face meeting is as valuable as ever.
Visithttps://www.manpowergroup.com.sg/candidatepreferencesfor detailed information on candidate preferences or to download the report,SiriT®, Find Me a New Job. Why Employers Should Adopt A High-Touch/High-Tech Approach to the Job Search
About ManpowerGroup Solutions
ManpowerGroup® Solutions provides clients with outsourcing services related to human resources functions, primarily in the areas of large-scale recruiting and workforce-intensive initiatives that are outcome-based, thereby sharing in the risk and reward with our clients. Our solutions offerings include TAPFIN-Managed Service Provider, Strategic Workforce Consulting, Borderless Talent Solutions, Talent Based Outsourcing and Recruitment Process Outsourcing, where we are one of the largest providers of permanent and contingent recruitment in the world. ManpowerGroup Solutions is part of the ManpowerGroup® family of companies, which also includes Manpower®, Experis® and Right Management®. More information at www.manpowergroupsolutions.com.
About ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup®, the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across 80 countries and territories and has done so for 70 years. In 2018, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the ninth year and one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies for the sixteenth year, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup is powering the future of work: https://manpowergroup.com.sg