The proliferation of mobile devices has changed the world. The sheer number of people who now essentially carry a computer with them at all times, one that is capable of almost everything they can do on a desktop or laptop, is huge.

How huge? An estimate from SMSGlobal in October 2015 put the number of active smartphones at just under two billion worldwide, and that doesn’t take into account the millions of tablets also in use. With so many people eschewing the traditional PC or Mac in favor of their iPhone or Android phone, it’s not surprising that organizations the world over are racing to catch up with widespread use of the technology.

Job candidates and increased mobility

There’s no doubt that tools on the internet have made a big impact on the job-seeking world, and the recruitment sector is not immune to the challenges of our increasingly mobile-centric world. A survey in the United States by Pew Research Center found that 79 percent of people looking for work had used online resources, with 34 percent agreeing that these resources were the most valuable tools available. More and more people are reaching for their smartphones to meet their online needs, which includes searching for work. According to Inc., almost 80 percent of job seekers use social media in their hunt for employment, a figure that indicates the value of modern innovation for recruitment purposes.

To capture the attention of the best candidates, delivering a recruitment and talent management solution that can adapt to their particular wants and needs is critical. That means mobile optimization and offering an experience that is appealing, intuitive and comprehensive, no matter what device is being used. 

Mobile disruption and talent management

The mobile revolution hasn’t just changed the way we communicate with each other. Some fundamental shifts have occurred in the way people carry out their jobs. With the internet now available almost anywhere thanks to Wi-Fi and mobile data networks, as well as the rise of cloud computing services, many people have the ability to replicate the office environment from any location.

Now that people are able to work remotely, either from a single location or on the move, the traditional notion of a workplace has changed – as have many of the old ways of performing work. Significant findings in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) 2015 CEO Survey indicate that 78 percent of CEOs are expecting changes to their future talent management strategy. With so much attention being paid to mobility, and the recognition of its role in the future of organizations, it makes sense that adapting to meet the trend is a high priority. 

“Employee choice will become a critical element in mobility strategy in the future, as employers recognize that different groups of workers have different needs and preferences,” says the report.

“By adapting to the preferences and needs of different generations and groups of employees, organizations are likely to bring about a fundamental change in the assignment duration, package, type and value.”

Having a talent management solution that seamlessly transitions to meet the needs of mobile employees will not only help you to discover the ideal candidates for vacant roles, but can further support the move away from the traditional office environment. For many organizations, the days of needing to build your workforce under geographical restrictions may soon be a thing of the past.