Internet Savvy Set Job-Seeking Trend

The survey, conducted by Taleo Research, showed that 43% of workers used online tools, such as applying online or sending a CV by email, to apply for their most recent job. Described by Taleo as “Internet Identifiers,” the survey found this group leading the way in how today’s workers prefer to apply for jobs.

According to the study, job seekers can be broken down into three main groups, based on how they apply for jobs:

· Internet Identifiers (43%) – Internet savvy job-seekers who actively hunt for jobs by applying online, sending their CV via email to prospects or signing up to an online job board or business networking website

· Hands Off Hunters (38%) – traditional job seekers who rely on head hunters, recruitment agencies and personal contacts to find new jobs

· Traditional Targeters (19%) – more traditional job seekers, who prefer to actively apply for jobs through the post

The Taleo study interviewed 120 employees of working age from a range of sectors including business, public services, sales and marketing, media, retail, tourism, IT and skilled trades people, asking them about their job application habits. Other key findings indicate:

· Speed is key – Over half (53%) of respondents who applied for their current or most recent job using online facilities preferred these methods due to the fast response time. Other important factors favouring online job searching included it being less time consuming (24%) and the ability to apply for many jobs at one time (13%).

· Word of mouth – Word of mouth is still the most common means for hearing about jobs with nearly a third (27%) hearing about their current or most recent job through “the grapevine.” Using recruitment agencies was also a common method, with 19% of employers hearing about their jobs via an agency.

· Online hunting – Almost half (48%) of generation ‘Y’ (16-30 year olds) were classed as “Internet Identifiers” when applying for positions.

· Call a friend – Experienced job-seekers (46-65 year olds) were the most significant users of personal contacts and referrals in order to get jobs, with 11% using this method.

“Online search and application techniques are now the most prevalent methods with both active and passive candidates, which suggests that candidates are proactively taking charge of their search for employment,” said Neil Hudspith, SVP, International, for Taleo. “Increasingly we are seeing more candidates applying for positions through company websites. This also has the benefit of enabling candidates to become part of a company’s ongoing searchable talent pool, even if their initial application is not successful.”