Empowering jobseekers in today’s market
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Job advertisements remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Here’s how your company can better empower jobseekers and stay top of mind to those looking for their next career opportunity.
There’s been much attention on jobseekers in recent months with the recent federal budget making them a key priority moving forward, increasing payments by $40 per fortnight for those aged under 55. Additionally, those aged 55 and over can now access the higher rate of $92.10 per fortnight.
Despite government efforts, there’s still work to be done to empower jobseekers.
SEEK’s recent Employment Report showed job advertisements in April 2023 were still 24.7 per cent higher than they were in April 2019, prior to the pandemic.
The opportunity
Businesses in Australia are in a unique position to capture those hungry for roles. However, what’s the best approach?
The recipient of SEEK’s Best Candidate Experience Initiative, TasNetworks, offers a prime example of how businesses can do their part to empower jobseekers.
TasNetworks, owned by the Tasmanian state government, is responsible for electricity transmission and distribution throughout Tasmania. It also owns and operates a telecommunications network.
To maximise its talent pool, TasNetworks has implemented an online platform which allows it to give prospective candidates detailed feedback on their job applications. The tool enables TasNetworks to support jobseekers and their wellbeing throughout the recruitment process.
All unsuccessful candidates receive notification and correspondence to help prepare them for future job applications.
The initiative has resulted in a significant shift in favourable responses from new starters, with a 23 per cent increase in satisfaction with the recruitment experience. Additionally, there has been a 37 per cent increase in traffic from the first quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2022, indicating that candidates are finding this tool useful.
TasNetworks talent acquisition lead Kylie Cashion says the initiative demonstrates the group’s commitment to providing a positive candidate experience throughout their job search journey.
“There might be 50-80 people that apply for a role. There’s only one person that’s getting that role, and then there are 79 people left with a pretty ordinary feeling.
“By gifting people this empowering tool, when they do receive a knock-back for a role, they can get prepared for next time,” Kylie says.
Candidates are given the opportunity to not only receive feedback on their individual application but are also offered tutorials such as how to negotiate for a salary, improve interview techniques, and how they can enhance their CV and cover letter writing skills.
In addition to this, TasNetworks has a commitment in place that it responds to every candidate, communicating outcomes of their job application and providing detailed feedback on where they could improve.
“It’s a holistic experience for jobseekers. We have unashamedly put ourselves on display. By signing up to [this initiative], we’re saying, ‘Here’s our commitment to you as a jobseeker. We will get back to you and provide you with feedback’,” Kylie explains.
For TasNetworks, the commitment to jobseekers is a “no-brainer”. The initiatives it rolled out to support those looking for role opportunities were neither a costly exercise nor one that was hard to get over the line with its executive team.
“We try to put ourselves in the shoes of the jobseeker. It’s a really tough slog, and I think if you can come from a place of kindness, it’s always good,” Kylie says.
“Do your research to see what’s out there to support jobseekers. There are things out there — they don’t have to be expensive; they don’t have to be bright and shiny.
“If you come from that place of kindness and think about the right motivations and what’s right for your business — it’s a no-brainer to try and support jobseekers in any way we can.”
To learn more about this SEEK’s STAR Awards, click here.
To check out STAR winners and finalists, click here.
