If you’re like most people, you own and use some form of mobile device. In fact, you may be reading this on a mobile device right now. Smartphones, tablets, and even wearable tech have become standard equipment for people of all ages these days, and this means that job seekers are turning to mobile tech more than ever to find work. Also, employers are really starting to realize the potential for reaching candidates on the go through job boards on mobile devices. As a result, your job board needs to be optimized for mobile to reach the largest amount of employers and job seekers.
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What Does It Mean to Be Optimized for Mobile?
Mobile optimization means a number of things. First, the user interface of your job board needs to be scalable. Basically, the interface needs to change in size and appearance to fit the screen of the device upon which it is being viewed. A static site doesn’t change, and while it may look great on a PC screen, it may not look so great or function properly on a smaller screen, such as a smartphone screen. Also, the way users interact with your job board site need to change. When working with a mouse and cursor, there are certain things you can do that would be difficult by tapping on a mobile device’s screen. As such, you’ll need to think about how intuitive your mobile version is when it comes to options.
Allowing Users to Submit and Apply on the Go
Designing and implementing a mobile version of your job board needs to include the ability for employers to submit openings and for job seekers to apply to postings on the go. This functionality is what makes mobile technology so effective, and these processes should be as simple as possible. You may consider allowing employers to create templates to make posting multiple openings in specific departments faster. You could also allow users to upload and store a resume and even a cover letter to make one-click applying easy. This way, a candidate who is looking for a better job can easily search for and apply to positions on your job board while commuting in the morning, while an unemployed candidate can apply to positions while on his or her way to a job interview.
Mobile Advertising Methods
You also need to think about advertising on your job board site if you choose to go mobile. All ads that your site runs will need to be optimized as well, and this can mean additional involvement and collaboration between your development team and your advertisers. As with your own content, advertisements that look good and function properly on a PC may become broken when viewed on mobile. Also, there are different standards for UX when it comes to advertising on mobile, so you may need to work with additional professionals to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for your users.
Andrew Rusnak is an author who writes on topics that include mobile technology and career development.