It looks like Google are dipping their toe into the world of recruitment once again with their job search engine, Google for Jobs which launched in the UK last week. It’s already caused quite a stir and we’re all asking the question, “how will Google for Jobs affect recruitment?”
Job boards
There is no doubt Google for Jobs will disrupt existing job boards and potentially eliminate the need for them further down the line. Indeed is also at risk of being eradicated as it currently stands as one of the most popular job aggregators on the market which is a direct competitor of the new job search engine.
However, it’s not all bad news for job boards! Google released a list of job boards and recruiting sites who they are officially integrated with including:
- Monster
- CV Library
- ZipRecruiter
- CareerBuilder
- Glassdoor
- com
They have stated the list is not exhaustive which means other job boards may have the opportunity in the future to integrate as well.
If you already use these job boards as a recruiter then great news, your job listings will already be posted on Google. If you don’t, you can still get them displayed by directly integrating with Google for Jobs. If you haven’t already done your research, then it’s worth looking into this as you could find yourself in trouble if you’re not able to post anything directly. Especially if it becomes the first point of search for jobseekers.
One of the main areas to look into is schema formatting which interprets job ads and enhances your listings on Google. According to I-COM, only 47% of recruitment businesses have implemented this so far which goes to show not everyone is prepared for the impact Google for Jobs will have on the industry.
Candidate journey
Google for Jobs has huge potential to change the way candidates search for jobs. With invaluable features like having access to salary information, commute times, email alerts and reviews of the employer as well as the ability to apply for a job through different channels such as LinkedIn, job boards, or an ATS, it could easily become the go to place for jobseekers. Most people’s first point of call when it comes to finding a job is Google anyway, so the new functionality will only enhance this.
Talent shortages
Because of the convenience of Google for Jobs, there is the possibility it could help with the talent shortage in the UK. By making it so much easier to search for a job and attract passive candidates, there is bound to be a rise in the number of applications to any one job.
Considering Google is one of the most valuable brands in the world, it’s not unreasonable to predict that Google for Jobs will be extremely successful. Agencies need to embrace the changes being made and the direction the recruitment industry is going in and ensure their jobs are listed to increase placements.
