As of October 2023, 93% of UK mobile users have a smartphone which is essentially a computer in the palm of your hand!
A lot of us find ourselves glued to our phones, (and if you aren’t, good for you and what is your secret?!).
I am often shocked (but maybe not surprised) by my screen time report. According to Uswitch’s 2022 survey the average screen time among UK adults is five hours per day, this doesn’t include any screen related work. This has increased by two hours a day since 2020.
For many people, their mobile phone is their primary way of accessing the internet, and consequently, a key tool in job hunting. In 2021 between 42%-49% of internet users aged 16-54 browsed job applications or applied for a position online in the UK.
Therefore, it’s imperative that recruitment processes are mobile-user friendly. It’s equally important for candidates to consider the implications of relying solely on their phones. Candidates must ensure their presentation and professionalism remain intact, and bear in mind that recruiters and hiring managers are more than likely viewing their CV’s and communications on desktops.
So yes, I think your job search can all be done from your phone, but there are things to think about. I am going to look at some key considerations for candidates and employers, in a world where candidates are applying for jobs, going through interview processes, and accepting roles – all from their mobile phone.
Candidates
- Presentation is key - Consider what your CV looks like, ensure it is well formatted and optimised for both mobile and desktop. Same goes for your cover letter.
- Set up an email signature - Many mobile phones are automatically set up to include ‘sent from my phone’. You can set up an email signature to ensure your communications sound and look polished and professional.
- Be responsive - As discussed above, we are on our phones all the time, if you get a message on WhatsApp asking about your availability for an interview, it shouldn’t take 2 days to reply.
- Think about your angles – If you are accessing a virtual interview from your phone, make sure you have set it up against something beforehand. Don’t be holding your phone walking round your house, it’s not a good look – literally and figuratively.
- Set up alerts – It can be harder to browse through websites and job boards through your phone, so set up email alerts so you get sent notifications when relevant jobs come live. Or sign up to newsletters and get relevant updates about roles in your profession, sign up to ours here
- Proofread carefully – It can be easier to miss typos and grammar mistakes when using your phone, a polished and well-proofread application reflects your attention to detail.
- Be careful of scammers – I have spoken to a number of candidates recently who have been contacted via WhatsApp from people claiming to be recruiters and it turns out to be a scam. A few things to look out for; hopefully this goes without saying but no recruiter will ask for your bank card information/passwords/ any secure info and most recruiters will use WhatsApp for business so their full name and company name should show on the profile. If in doubt, contact them by a recognised number!
Employers
- Ensure your website is user friendly – Candidates will be viewing, researching and applying via your website, make sure it is optimised for both mobile and desktop viewing.
- Enable mobile applications – This is simple but important, you’d be surprised by how difficult it can sometimes be to apply for some roles via your mobile.
- Be flexible - Understand that some people don’t have access to a laptop and so don’t penalise them for joining a virtual interview from their phone.
Embracing mobile-friendly recruitment not only aligns with the digital landscape, but reflects an understanding of candidate habits and makes the recruitment process as easy as possible for those applying from their phones.