Smartphones and technology have completely revolutionized how consumers experience the world. It’s easier now than ever to buy, consume and interact with products and services. On-demand staffing apps and other candidate engagement software fill the gaps in communication to make buying (and selling) effortless. It’s not a surprise they are now recognized as a valuable tool in staffing.
Here is how the staffing industry has changed and how you can use staffing apps to attract the “modern candidate”.
The pandemic and the shift to the Gig economy
The pandemic completely altered life as we knew it. It led to significant behavioural changes, including how people engaged with apps. As widely used as mobile apps were before COVID, there was still an estimated 20% spike in mobile app usage during the pandemic. Among this spike were the people seeking new ways to harness technology to find jobs.
The gig economy grew exponentially in a short period. It was instrumental for many to find work amid the pandemic, with people searching for ways to supplement or replace lost income. But while many may have joined gig platforms out of necessity, doing so popularized a previously unrealized option: flexibility. It empowered people to create a work routine that better fits their schedules and desired lifestyles.
Mobile apps evolved businesses
Not only did these apps supply work to those in need, but the rate at which on-demand apps began appearing in app stores also increased. Statista estimates that apps will generate $613 billion (USD) in revenue by 2025. They evolved businesses that functioned primarily face-to-face. It also gave them the ability to adapt faster with features like remote onboarding.
The survival of companies was contingent upon their ability to be adaptable during those unprecedented circumstances (here are 5 more lessons from high-growth staffing agencies). Those that invested in staffing apps or candidate engagement software that allowed them to communicate from a distance flourished.
The Great Resignation
When the flexibility of gig work (that was supposed to be temporary) became the norm, along came a demand for better working conditions and work-life balance for those returning to regular schedules. This led to a voluntary mass exodus of workers from their jobs – “The Great Resignation”. Despite labour shortages, people continued to quit their jobs in large numbers in favour of remote and/or higher-paying work. Companies were left scrambling to fill vacant positions.
The new normal and the modern candidate
As we mention in our e-book, candidates have become consumers, “shopping” for jobs online the way that buyers scour through endless lists of products and services on e-commerce sites. If they weren’t able to view the job description and compensation easily, they’d ghost their staffing agency and move onto another platform that would.
Pro tip:
In addition to being able to view jobs easily before applying, the ability to drop or change shifts easily is of equal importance to candidates. Our “drop shift” notification system has helped our agency partners reduce ghosting, backfill roles faster and also gather critical data on why candidates are dropping shifts.
The rise of staffing apps
To better meet fluctuating labour demands and create a better end-to-end candidate experience, the industry has shifted towards a convergence of traditional staffing and technology. Combining the use of staffing tools, such as staffing apps, with in-person human interaction has the power to really set staffing firms apart. To the modern candidate that wants flexibility and transparency, working with an agency that provides them with tools that let them work how they want is empowering.
According to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), 37% of staffing agency owners are looking to adopt this technology over the next two years. We’ve also seen a rapid increase in the number of large firms acquiring staffing platforms in 2022. This tech is changing and improving rapidly every day, providing new features and efficiencies that will continue to revolutionize the industry. If you’re an agency, it’s important not to fall behind.
This article contains information and excerpts from the “Staffing Platforms: The Modern Candidate” e-book. To learn more, please visit Resources or download the e-book.
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