Remote recruitment: Which tools and which platforms?

Since the early 2000s, recruitment has been constantly evolving to keep pace with technological advances. On the other hand, with over 200 million people between the ages of 15 and 24, Africa has the largest youth population in the world and is becoming increasingly digitalized, making it easier to tap into these new recruitment trends. It goes without saying that employment market on this continent will continue to grow in the coming years.

Another factor to consider is the expansion of the telecommunications sector since the COVID-19 health crisis. Many Africans have gained greater access to IT tools, particularly smartphones, and have followed the recruitment trend by registering on the new dedicated platforms.

Today, it's virtually essential to have a web presence with the information you need to be contacted for a new job. With all the digital options available, candidates can now more easily apply for jobs on the open job market.

What's more, digitalization saves time for candidates and recruiters alike. Thanks to technology, they can automate several time-consuming tasks. It also means there are no limits in terms of distance. Today, it's possible to meet people remotely via a variety of communication channels, both free and paid. Here are 5 tools for remote recruitment:

Video interviews: direct and deferred 

Easy to use, video interviewing is the most widely used remote recruitment method. It enables candidates to begin the recruitment process without the hassle of travelling. The main advantage for candidates is that they save time and can conduct several interviews in a short space of time. The number of African companies integrating this method into their recruitment processes is growing. This enables them to find the best talent across borders.

Many companies opt for live video interviews. This practice is similar to "traditional" recruitment in the way interviews are conducted, and helps to humanize the meeting, even if it takes place at a distance.

Recruiters also use deferred video interviewing software such as InterviewApp or Visiotalent. The principle behind these programs is simple: candidates answer questions selected by recruiters by filming themselves via their computer's webcam. This recruitment method brings your CV to life. Recruiters will now be able to better analyze and present your interview to other employees, to help them in their decision-making.

Social networks 

Another digital dimension, social media represent a non-negligible recruitment tool, especially as the number of users continues to grow. Social media recruitment is a reality, with 51% of companies advertising and recruiting on social networks. Your presence on different platforms will naturally boost your chances of being contacted or get in touch with the recruiter you're looking for. Among all, LinkedIn is the most used professional media by recruiters and HR professionals.. There are over 500,000 company pages and 875 million members worldwide. Furthermore, by optimizing your profile, you'll significantly increase your visibility and therefore your chances of being seen by talent hunters. The advantage for candidates is that membership is free, and you can develop your network within a huge database.

Jobboards

Jobboards such as Indeed are platforms on which job openings  are posted. 96% of candidates mention jobboards as one of their main job search tools.

Recruitment professionals regularly post vacancies on these platforms. Candidates consult these platforms because there are so many of them. They are particularly fond of the functionalities of these platforms. You can view all the vacancies of interest to you, find out when a new vacancy is posted by activating an alert, filter your searches by keywords or location, and apply directly via the platform. All these features make it easier for candidates to find what they're looking for.

Mobile recruitment 

For example, mobile services have generated over 130 billion dollars in added economic value (8% of GDP) in sub-Saharan Africa. This figure will rise to $155 billion by 2025.

While job-seeking via mobile websites is on the increase, very few job-seekers in Africa actually use this tool. Yet, this approach offers the opportunity to find a job in Africa and around the world at any time.

Many African companies have seized the opportunity to attract new talent by adapting their career sites for mobile use. Thanks to the development of the telecoms sector, access to the Internet has become easier via smartphones, and numerous applications such as Indeed and LinkedIn have been created to list job offers. Many recruiters communicate with their candidates by SMS or via instant communication channels like WhatsApp, a method of communication that tends to make recruitment more modern and interpersonal.

Recruitment firms

With a strong presence on the web, recruitment firms are a real pillar of remote recruitment. Their consultants are true experts in their sectors and have a real knowledge of the market. They'll be able to give you the best advice in relation to your sector of activity and the job you're looking for. Moreover, you'll receive personalized and comprehensive support, from your job search to your integration into the company. Keeping abreast of technological advances, our consultants use high-performance tools to identify the best candidates, bringing a fresh perspective to recruitment. When you send in your CV, the expert in charge of your application will do the research for you, according to your needs and those of their clients. Your CV will be stored in their shared database, and they'll get back to you when they've found the best opportunity. This increases your chances of finding a job. Furthermore, recruitment firms can sometimes work on confidential mandates that you won't find on the conventional job market. Last but not least, working through a recruitment firm can give your career an international dimension, as our consultants have a vast network that extends beyond national borders.

Digitization is taking recruitment into a new dimension: responding instantly to the needs of the job market. Candidates need to adapt to the new tools that enable them to conduct interviews remotely, and to be present on these different platforms in order to be visible to recruiters and to consult the offers available on the market. Today, it's easier for candidates to apply remotely and seize every opportunity that might come their way. Looking for a job?  Fed Africa is a recruitment firm specializing in top and middle management positions in Africa and the Middle East. Check the job openings available on our website.  No vacancy matches your search? Send us your CV via our spontaneous application form.