Most candidates in Hong Kong use their mobile phone to look for a new role but prefer more conventional methods to then apply for the job they are interested in, according to new research from recruitment experts Hays.
The latest Hays web poll asked candidates in five key Asian markets how they use their mobile in the job hunting process.
Job hunters in Japan were the most likely to use their mobile to find a new role (69 per cent) with Malaysia a close second (65 per cent), then Mainland China (59 per cent) with Singapore and Hong Kong both at 58 per cent.
“While candidates in Hong Kong are very comfortable searching for jobs using their mobile only 23 per cent then applies for a job using their mobile. The employment market in Hong Kong is changing fast so candidates need to be more mobile responsive to make the most of opportunities when they hit the market,” says Dean Stallard, Managing Director of Hays Hong Kong & South China.
“Hong Kong has the highest proportion of candidates who use their mobile to receive job alerts but this is still only 19 per cent of our poll respondents, which represents a missed opportunity to track what’s happening in Hong Kong’s job market,” he said.
“Receiving job alerts on your mobile is an easy way to get the jump on your competition. However, you also need to be able to respond quickly when you spot the right job and that means having an up-to-date resume handy to attach and send via a mobile with an application.”
“It’s also worth noting that contracting and temping is a growing employment sector in Hong Kong that can offer loads of benefits to quality candidates – particularly those in emerging technologies. Being nimble when it comes to responding to these new opportunities is essential and that means knowing how to use your mobile throughout the recruitment process including creating and sending a quality application to a prospective employer.”
“There is also a message in our poll results for employers in Hong Kong. They need to be able to attract the best candidates in a market seeing growing skill shortages making it even more important to reach tech savvy younger candidates. This means ensuring job ads and the application process are mobile-friendly,” said Dean.
Job hunters in Mainland China and Singapore are the most likely to apply for a job using their mobile (26 per cent) followed by Hong Kong (23 per cent), Malaysia (21 per cent) and Japan (12 per cent).
Hong Kong’s job hunters are the most likely to view job alerts on their mobile phone (19 per cent) followed by Japan (18 per cent), Singapore (16 per cent), Mainland China (15 per cent) and Malaysia (14 per cent).
The web poll was conducted online at www.hays.com.hk between February 2018 and May 2018.
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About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is a leading global professional recruiting group and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK and Asia Pacific and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe and Latin America. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 31 December 2017 the Group employed 10,800 staff operating from 256 offices in 33 markets across 20 specialisms. For the year ended 30 June 2017:
– the Group reported net fees of £954.6 million and operating profit (pre-exceptional items) of £211.5 million;
– the Group placed around 70,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 240,000 people into temporary assignments;
– 24% of Group net fees were generated in Asia Pacific, 49% in Continental Europe & RoW (CERoW) and 27% in the United Kingdom & Ireland;
– the temporary placement business represented 59% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 41% of net fees;
– Hays operates in the following markets: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mainland China, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA