The next generation of Corporate career websites are all about the candidate experience and the numerous opportunities that companies have to take advantage of Web 2.0 features and functionality. Why should any organization even bother with this? Think "Competitive Advantage" as the national and international war for talent becomes fiercer. 

It’s crucial that companies of all sizes recognize and have ways of measuring the value of putting a dynamic and rich user experience in place that is underpinned by Web 2.0. My advice to clients when helping them get to grips with Web 2.0 and the general concept of next generation Corporate career websites is that they ignore the future at their own peril and run huge risks in maintaining their legacy, static corporate websites.

Web 2.0 Drives Cost Effective Recruitment

The need to acquire and retain the best candidates quickly and in the most cost-effective manner is driven by demographic conditions which have in turn, placed quite significant pressure on companies.

The web and the Corporate career website has now become the major channel for attracting and acquiring candidates and for many companies is now the key source of new hires. OK, you're probably thinking Dice, Monster etc. Not far off but even these companies don't get full marks in my opinion because when we're talking about Web 2.0, there's so much more even they could explore and implement.

Candidates as Consumers (Read: Candidates ARE Consumers) 

In working with organizations globally, it’s surprising to discover how many of them fail to recognize that candidates are also consumers.

In random surveys I carried out with numerous candidates, I established that candidates  "...transfer their job seeking experience to the Corporate brand". I also established that they "draw heavily on their consumer experiences to set their expectations for their online job seeking experience.

Interesting findings both, and a wake up call for people involved in creating, developing and managing Corporate career websites.

What's That I See In The Future? 

It's going to be interesting to see how things pan out in the future as the war for acquiring the best talent, in the most cost-effective, Customer-experience- friendly manner continues. A new paradigm is urgently needed!

See you in the next installment

'Bayo Akinola-Odusola