USA TODAY - Indeed Meets Tinder: Tech Job Matching with a Swipe
Aug 23
4 min read
0
2
0
Finding a job in tech today involves more than just matching skills with job descriptions. Online job searching can be a dull and monotonous undertaking that often doesn’t produce results. The system doesn't seem to be working, and the complexities impact both applicants and recruiters. The competition is fierce. Highly skilled and educated applicants are competing for positions, while employers and recruiters deal with the deluge of resumes every time they post an opening. There simply must be a better way to navigate the space; but what would make the process easier and more effective?
Streamlined Application Process
Applying for tech jobs can feel like navigating a maze of repetitive forms and platforms. Research shows that job seekers spend an average of eight seconds scanning a job posting before deciding to apply or move on. When looking for a job, time is of the essence, and people have a short attention span. Streamlining the process is essential. If you've ever used a hiring platform, it isn't surprising that up to 70 percent of qualified applicants abandon their applications before hitting submit, due to the tedious and time-consuming nature of the process.
Michael Tannenbaum, a lead technology recruiter, and Neal Desai, a technologist with 10 years of experience in machine learning and AI app development have a lot of experience in the tech job market. The co-founders created Mavric, a two-sided marketplace that connects tech candidates with tech companies. Mavric uses AI to make excellent matches and removes hiring bias, by focusing on skill-based hiring. Their app aims to gamify the process while making it more effective.
Matching System Overhaul
Recruiters are often bombarded with thousands of applications for a single position. The flood of resumes and cover letters exceeds the capacity of most hiring teams to thoroughly review each candidate. Though there are a huge number of qualified applicants, 46 percent, according to studies, end up leaving their new roles within the first 18 months. The high turnover rate is challenging for recruiters when identifying the best fit for an organization. As they rush to fill positions, the pressure is high to process a high volume of applications.
There may be a perfectly suited candidate somewhere in the thousands of applications that the recruiter will never see. Tannenbaum states, “We think the current system has trouble working, because the workforce is growing younger with less and less patience for conventional job seeking. Most candidates I've spoken to absolutely dread the idea of having to find another job when they lose their existing job. The process is not enjoyable and lacks rewards that candidates consistently get through apps like TikTok and Tinder. The solution to this problem is to A) cure the job seeker blues by creating a fun, intuitive platform; and B) allow companies to get excellent accuracy in hires and minimize cost.”
Desai adds, “Our goal on the technology side with Mavric was to find any way to transform this stressful task into a rewarding experience. By leveraging recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, we ensure our companies and job seekers find the best possible mutual fit. Ultimately, our AI helps both sides save time and filter through the noise.”
Eliminate Bias
Affinity, name, gender, and age bias can often play a role in the hiring process. In many cases, a recruiter or employer may do it subconsciously, but the negative effects on employers and applicants are clear. Bias affects the job ecosystem in several unfortunate ways. You must realize that behind the ATS, a recruiter is evaluating your profile. That recruiter also comes with a set of unique biases, despite what they are taught and what they learn.
Oftentimes, candidates are trying to put their best foot forward. Some of their deepest fears are rejection by an opportunity based on how they look or how their name sounds. Mavric champions candidate anonymity and focuses on creating incredible matches with skill-based hiring. “Our product won't be the cure for hiring bias in the recruitment space, but we believe it is an excellent step in the right direction,” explains Tannenbaum.
Innovate the Space
While the tech industry thrives on innovation, the hiring practices are lagging behind. Tannenbaum states, “Gamification has changed the ways we interact with technology completely. It has allowed us to enjoy what technology has to offer, while creating reward-based mechanisms that we indulge in. Mavric offers the same swiping functionality users would experience on their favorite dating apps, and the same animations you would see on a fun to use investment app like Robinhood. We focused on adding gamification to the job-seeking space, because for many candidates, losing their job is a very frustrating and stressful experience. It was a no-brainer to make a product that is fun and takes the stress out of job seeking/hiring.”
It is often frustrating and time-consuming to navigate the tech job market, which can be frustrating for both candidates and recruiters. Mavric is on a mission to transform the entire experience. The company is excited for users in the tech space to discover this innovative way to connect in the tech industry.