The Generation of Swiping – What Happens Now That We Swipe for Jobs?

Much like many popular dating apps, there are now job apps of a similar format that allow users to swipe left or right, depending on whether they like the sound of the job vacancy. So, should the job market be adapting to this new tool and become more appealing to a generation who are used to swiping left and right? Or should Millennials (born between 1981 and 1994) and Generation Z (born between 1995 and 2012) be able to adapt to the current working environment and existing processes of applying for jobs? At Ascendant Recruitment, we believe in a balance between the two, combining younger adults’ ways of life with older generations’ ideals to impart wisdom, ideas and inspiration from both sides. 

Apps that let you swipe for jobs could be here to stay. They make searching for new roles easy and accessible for both candidates and employers. Not only can candidates browse through job postings, swiping right to ‘like’ and swiping left to ‘pass’ but employers can also do the same thing. Companies can browse through candidates’ profiles (which are generally anonymised in most job-swiping apps) and can look at information about each person’s background and skillset. 

Many people have expressed concerns about their current employer finding them on these job apps. However, many of the apps provide an anonymous feature, meaning that you can swipe to your heart’s content without the worry of current employers or clients finding you. What’s more, there’s no need to upload your CV, as most of the job-swiping apps pull your details in from LinkedIn.  

With this in mind, it should be questioned whether it’s all too easy to swipe away while you’re on the bus or sitting in front of the TV. Are you really interested in the job or could the ease of swiping actually be wasting employers’ and recruiters time? And if you haven’t taken the time to write a cover email (or an actual cover letter like many generation X and Y people and baby boomers will remember), how do you make your application stand out to an employer or recruiter who has received literally hundreds of applications overnight?  Likewise, if employers get swipe-happy with candidates, are they really fully invested in interviewing those candidates? 

Another point to bear in mind is that the job-swiping apps are quite new. Therefore, you shouldn’t solely base your job search on going on these apps, as this would significantly limit your search. After all, many companies may not be registered on the apps. Instead, use the apps as just one way of finding out more about potential jobs and employers, but definitely explore other avenues and ways of job-seeking, too, such as registering with a recruitment agency, which can be very beneficial. 

In a similar way, if you’re an employer looking for new employees, the pool of candidates on job-swiping apps can currently be quite limited. This isn’t to say that it won’t improve, but make sure you’re also promoting the job opportunity elsewhere. A fantastic way to reach an experienced, motivated pool of candidates is to work with a recruitment agency. Once you’ve chosen the right recruitment agency for your business, it can not only save you a lot of time and money, but also add value to your business when you recruit the right people to work for you. 

There are many benefits to swiping your way to a successful job interview. The apps are easy to use, accessible and feature a wide range of candidates and employers. However, it’s important that you apply for an appropriate role with the right type of company for you and your aspirations. Swiping can make looking for a job quick and easy, but be sure that you do enough research into the role and company beforehand. You don’t want to risk taking the wrong job and doing something you’re not passionate about or interested in. At Ascendant Recruitment, we always meet and talk with every single candidate before placing them in a job, as we think it’s important that we marry up the right candidate with the right employer, and that’s something to bear in mind. While job-swiping apps may help you network, you should still make careful considerations with the roles and companies you’re swiping right.