OnGig: Break the rules by starting a conversation

Ongig is an innovative job board where many features could be chosen as their most innovative, not least relating to their exemplary use of video. What gets them their spot in the HCM IDEASCAPE, however, is from a technological point of view much more banal. On Ongig jobseekers can discuss the job ad with the line manager in a job ad specific mini-forum. It's brilliant.

It's one of those interesting situations where technology has taken away the root cause (line managers getting too many phone calls)  of a negative behaviour (not engaging in dialogue with early stage candidates) - but where the negative behaviour remains regardless. OnGig sets a great example by changing the rules.

What's the big idea?
Ongig lets jobseekers communicate collectively with the line manager/recruiter before applying. This makes it easy for applicants to clarify issues such as travel time, possible geographic locations, whether a certain limitation such as a missing certification will disqualify them and so on - and levels the playing field as all actors have the same information. 

OnGig: Breaking the rules by starting a conversation. 

Where's the ROI?
The solution is beneficial to jobseekers who can ask and get answers to important questions, and for line managers/recruiters who can channel all jobseeker communication through Ongig. The simple solution reduces the amount of time spent with more and less relevant candidates on the phone. Finally, it can enable proper process documentation from square one, and ensure a more fair playing field.

My two cents
I think Ongig should make one small change; make all dialogue anonymous by default. The many pictures of anonymous job seeker faces are a waste of valuable screen real estate. I have yet to see a job seeker that does not choose to be anonymous in this context - and for good reason. The need for anonymity should outweigh other considerations.

Why should you care?
If you run an ATS or a job board, job ads published with mini-forums are all yours. Think about it. The media that owns the dialogue about the job owns the process - all other ads should simply refer to you. More importantly - you'd be making life that little bit easier for job seekers and line managers alike. In the emerging world of one-click applications the mini-forum may be a key instrument in making sure relevant applicants apply - and irrelevant applicants do not. 

Not least; as an employer you can show some respect and make yourself available to the job seeker. With the mini-forum there is no reason not to.