Depending on when you’re reading this, Google for Jobs has either already launched, or is due to launch very soon. Which means that you’re either enjoying the free-of-charge surge in job seeking traffic that suddenly started arriving at your careers website, you’re wondering why you’re missing out, or you want to know what on earth Google for Jobs actually is and how you can prepare for it.
At our upcoming Bristol In-house Recruitment Conference, Mark Beavan, Head of That Little Agency, will show us how to build a careers website candidates cannot resist. But before he pops by for his talk, Mark takes a look at the next big thing to shake up recruitment as we know it: Google for Jobs. “If you’re prepared, then being an early adopter could give you a significant advantage over your competitors for talent,” he believes.
Why is it a good thing for employers?
Google are offering employers the opportunity to have their jobs indexed by their search engine. And if they are indexed correctly, then job seekers are going to see them. With so many jobs being indexed from job boards and direct employers, Google for Jobs could quickly be the go-to place for job seekers. What’s more, candidates will be able to apply directly through your careers website (or ATS) via Google for Jobs. It’s a new and user-friendly way for candidates to find your roles – and to drive traffic to your careers website direct from Google.
Why is it a good thing for jobseekers?
When a process is made easier, saves time and gives better results, what’s not to like? Instead of visiting different job sites to make sure they haven’t missed a role, Google for Jobs will deliver positions closely matching a jobseeker’s preference – which could include location, type of job (full-time, part-time), ideal salary range, company type and even the specific employer by name. And it will eliminate any duplicate listings. Google’s means of filtering will help jobseekers construct a highly-personalised search – which could quickly identify roles that might not show up in a traditional search.
How can I be ready for it?
Google for Jobs will look for the same things in a career site that it does in any good website. If your career site is mobile friendly, has fresh content, the right keywords (and clear job titles) with well-indexed job postings on the same domain as your website (very important), then you are some way towards being ready. And if you have video on your careers website Google will like it even more. If however, your roles are advertised from your ATS – which usually has a domain different from the main website, then you have some work to do. Google for Jobs will not find roles hidden from their search bots by the ATS.
