Ever wished you could find your perfect ‘job’ match? Maybe you’re tired of submitting 15-page applications addressing complex selection criteria for entry-level positions. Well, a Canberra start-up may have what you’re looking for…it’s called Likeajob, and it’s been called the ‘Tinder’ of the employment market.

The brainchild of local hospitality veteran, Chris Hansen (Ox Eatery), Likeajob ‘connects people to jobs’ by using technology similar to that of an online dating site. Think Seek meets eHarmony…

So, how does a restaurant owner become the creator of an employment tool? Chris explains that Likeajob grew from his frustrations in recruiting staff for Ox Eatery.

“There are plenty of staff looking for work but it was hard to find ‘the right person at the right time’. Traditional job boards gather a mass of resumes which are very time consuming to read and Likeajob sorts the candidates automatically,” says Chris.

“From a Job Seeker perspective they can apply for 10 jobs in 10 seconds and can do this from the couch or the pub so it is very Gen Y friendly!”

Anyone who’s applied for a job recently knows how time consuming the process can be, and Chris says by talking to younger people he realised that many found searching for work to be quite daunting.

“They want flexibility and lifestyle and to be able to apply by pressing a button, or to actually be head hunted by an employer, would be very appealing.”

And it really is as simple clicking ‘like’.

“It connects people to jobs and vice versa with a matching algorithm based around location, experience, qualifications and skill set,” says Chris.

“You simply press the ‘like’ button to apply for a job or to indicate your interest in a candidate. If it becomes ‘mutual’ then you know that it is current which saves time and money for both parties.”

Although Likeajob specialises in entry level jobs for young people, a variety of ages and professions are using the site.

“As a Job Seeker can create multiple profiles, they may be happy to work as a Barista or Sales Assistant whilst waiting for that dream job as a Lawyer. Or maybe work as a Lawyer whist waiting for that dream job as a Barista! The point is that the world has changed!”

The site also makes things easy for employers. It’s free for an employer to post a job ad and for a job seeker to create a profile…so how does it make money?

“The Employer just pays a small fee (between $6-12) when they want to unlock the contact details of a ‘mutual match’. If it’s not ‘mutual’, then they keep looking at their other matches, much like a dating site!”

Likeajob was six months in the making, moving quickly from idea to reality, and has been named in the final three in the Web and Mobile category of the Canberra Business Point Awards. Having launched just two months ago, there are now have around 700 Job Seekers and 70 Employers on the site.

“The majority of the jobs are currently in hospitality and retail but we are now expanding into healthcare, marketing and office administration,” says Chris.

“By Christmas I expect that we will be covering most major industries and the forecast is for around 4000 Job Seekers and 400 Employers, although this will change with the seasons.”

It’s a new approach to employment, designed for the smartphone generation, and it’s getting a big thumbs up. Want to know more? Visit Likejob.com.au 

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