Location Based Service (LBS), the future of job-searching on the go?

Thursday, July 2, 2009  //  1 Comment  //  Blog, Emerging Trends, Mobile Apps, Mobile Recruiting, Mobile Trends, On the Radar, Videos

Increasingly, we are seeing a proliferation of mobile applications that are focused on delivering highly personalized services. One of the key ways in which companies are delivering relevant content to mobile devices is through location-based service (LBS) applications.

There are two LBS mobile apps I believe are worth mentioning:

1. JobCompass

JobCompass, is a free iPhone app that offers job-seekers the ability to easily view jobs within their immediate proximity. The app is completely intuitive. To start, users simply enter the job search keywords, then specify radius. The app does all the heavy lifting. See video below…

2. Layar

Layar, is the world’s first mobile augmented reality (AR) browser. In layman terms, Layar enables users to view the general surroundings (via a camera phone) and instantly retrieve “real-time” data based on a user’s geolocation and where the camera is being pointed.

Unlike JobCompass, Layar was not specifically designed with the job-seeker in mind. However, it only takes a brief review to understand the value this application offers to job-seekers, as well as recruiters. Imagine the ability to scan your physical surroundings, target key companies within your local proximity, and then view a list of real-time job openings for your target client. Layar is just that slick and it would offer an advantage for account managers working out in the field, or job-seekers looking for new employment.

Two Examples of Layar’s Location-Based Job Search feature:

1. Click here to watch the video below at the 6:00 minute mark for more on this topic.

2. Mightbe.me – Augmented Reality Job Search prototype developed by Bonnier R&D showing how you can find jobs in your surroundings through augmented reality. It’s built in Layar and uses data from Workey.se and Eniro.se. Created by Fredrik Davidsson, Paulina Modlitba Söderlund and Björn Jeffery during the Swedish Entrepreneur Event 24 Hour Business Camp 2009.

Layar is a free app that is available for the iPhone, T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic and other Android phones in Android Market. iPhone Mobile users may now download the Layar app here.

Do you believe location based services will change the way candidates look for work in the future? What do you think?