Shropshire jobseekers urged to get ‘app’ to date with latest technologies

With many people using the New Year as a catalyst to change careers or to re-enter the jobs market, Shrewsbury-based Red Recruitment is reminding regional job-hunters of the numerous new technologies on offer to help in their search for work.

“Recruitment has changed significantly over the last few years, both from an employer’s perspective, and from that of a jobseeker too,” Meg Jones, Director of Red Recruitment, explained. “It’s simply not the case anymore of a business posting an advert in the local newspaper, at the job centre, or with a recruitment agency, and waiting for responses to trickle through. The digital age is opening up more and more opportunities, but while this is extremely positive, it does also mean that the entire recruitment process is becoming much more interactive and fast-moving, which is why jobseekers and employers need to be aware of the various techniques.”

Last spring, the firm became the first consultancy in Shropshire to launch its own smartphone recruitment app, which gives those looking for employment the opportunity to receive up-to-the-minute information on potential roles as soon as they become available, along with a host of top tips on CV writing and interview techniques.

“The app has been a huge success so far with jobseekers and employers alike. For people looking for a job, it’s a user-friendly way of searching ‘on the move’, for example, when they’re on the train or have a few minutes spare on a lunch break,” Meg commented.

In addition to taking advantage of smartphone apps, Meg highlights the increasing use of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn as further evidence of the changing face of recruitment. “These tools are great for employers, as they help to spread the word about their vacancies to a far-reaching audience, as well as encouraging a rapid response from jobseekers, which is crucial with the employment market still in such a fiercely competitive state – some vacancies we’ve posted recently have received hundreds of responses.

“Another area we are currently exploring is the use of video conferencing platforms such as Skype, to make the process easier for candidates who may find it difficult to get to an office for a face-to-face interview. By embracing the wide range of tools available, jobseekers stand a greater chance of finding their perfect post, while employers get to choose from a wider talent pool, a definite win-win scenario for everyone,” Meg concluded.