As a large company, you have to move with the times, even if this means that you sometimes have to shake up entire application processes. And at ANWB, it was no different. There was little variation in the forms, no flexibility per target group and the desire to use WhatsApp during the application process; just a couple of reasons for ANWB to reach out to Textkernel and have a critical look at the current tools.
Cornelis Wiersma, Business Information Manager Recruitment Systems at ANWB, quickly realized that there would be quite a few advantages to Textkernel’s Candidate Engagement solutions. Especially the WhatsApp Apply and Preselect automations, in combination with the WhatsApp Smart Inbox in Carerix, attracted his attention.
Start small, get to know the system well and expand step by step. This tool will help you, your team and your candidates to get in touch quickly, safely and easily.
Cornelis Wiersma – Business Information Manager Recruitment Systems at ANWB
What was the situation like at ANWB before you joined forces with Textkernel?
“Basically, we only had one type of application form where by default candidates were asked for a resume and motivation,” Cornelis explains. “Besides that, there was no further flexibility per target audience. For the recruitment of large groups of candidates, such as for ANWB Alarmcentrale and Wegenwacht, we used Typeform forms. That was a good solution, but it was very laborious.”
“Contact with candidates was mainly through email and (business) phones of our recruiters. As a result, in case of illness, vacation or absence, candidates often had to wait a long time for a response.”
How did the implementation go and how do colleagues experience Textkernel’s solutions?
Cornelis: “At first, it was very difficult for me to figure out how the system works and what we can all use it for. Fortunately, the Customer Success Managers at Textkernel were always easy to reach and were able to help me very quickly. They built the setup of the conversation flows very nicely for us at the beginning, and eventually, they also instructed me on creating the conversation flows myself. They even reach out to me with feedback and a solution if I make a mistake.”
“After the user training some of our recruiters immediately started using the different functionalities; like WhatsApp Apply and low key engagements with candidates from our ATS, Carerix.”
Automation efficiency
5 WhatsApp automation for recruitment
From initial application, outreach, and qualification to ongoing relationship building, Textkernel’s Candidate Engagement streamlines the recruitment process and candidate journey, improves efficiency, and enhances the candidate experience.
Do you notice the added value of our solutions?
“Yes, absolutely!” Cornelis says enthusiastically. “We started implementing WhatsApp Apply first and we rolled this out immediately for recruiting personnel for ANWB Alarmcentrale, the emergency center for our traveling members since 1959. It is an easy way of applying for a job that also suits the target audience perfectly. Once this was live, we also quickly implemented it for the recruitment of personnel for our ANWB stores (about 75 stores throughout the Netherlands) and Wegenwacht.”
“We will keep expanding and use WhatsApp for every open vacancy. This can be along the likes of ‘get in touch with a recruiter immediately’, or WhatsApp Apply, to name a few. The possibilities are almost limitless.”
Are you seeing any significant differences in data since implementation? Increase in conversion? Decrease in time to hire? Increase in job applications?
“Unfortunately, I don’t have any hard data on conversion, since we offer it in a very different way,” admits Cornelis. “But our feeling is that the conversion is higher than before the implementation, since the response is more accessible and more focused on mobile first.”
“Since we let candidates choose between applying normally and applying via WhatsApp, we definitely see more applications coming in. The quality of the applicants is generally a little less, though, but of course that’s because it’s so easy to apply now.”
“If we look at the decrease in time to hire, we don’t see a significant difference; after all, the working method after the application has hardly changed. Contact with candidates does get easier, but that doesn’t make it directly faster.”
A final word for prospective users?
“Start small, get to know the system well and expand step by step. Also, give your colleagues time to get used to the new way of working. In the end, this tool will help you, your team and your candidates to get in touch quickly, safely and easily,” Cornelis concludes.
