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​YoungCapital launches job applications via WhatsApp

01-04-2015

Hoofddorp - YoungCapital launches job applications via WhatsApp. In doing so, the Netherlands' largest temp agency for young talent makes the application process faster and more effective. With an easily accessible video message via WhatsApp, candidates can contact their recruiter directly and show how enthusiastic they are about a vacancy. This increases their chances of being hired and speeds up the selection process. Ineke Kooistra, CEO of YoungCapital: "We continue to bring innovations to the temp market: first, we took temping to the cloud, now we are bringing it to the pockets of our target group."

Via WhatsApp, candidates can simply record a video of themselves with their smartphone. They then send it directly to the recruiter via the mobile phone number stated in the online job advertisement. Subsequently, the recruiter can decide whether he wants to speak to the candidate or he can forward the video to a colleague for another job vacancy. "On video, you can show qualities you can't demonstrate on paper. For instance, whether you possess the power of persuasion or have a customer-friendly look," says Ineke Kooistra, CEO of YoungCapital. "A video motivational message is much more relevant than a traditional application letter." YoungCapital deploys applications via WhatsApp for specific vacancies, in which contact with customers plays an important role, such as sales, customer service or logistics.

YoungCapital launches job applications via WhatsApp














Innovation and technology as a driving force

Applications via the popular app is the most recent of YoungCapital’s innovations. "Innovation is part of our DNA and technology is our strength. We have always responded to developments, such as SEO, digitisation, mobile usage and e-commerce," says Ineke Kooistra, CEO of YoungCapital. "Thanks to this focus, we now have a database of more than 1 million up-to-date profiles and we receive more than 10,000 new registrations every week." Another innovation is the YoungCapital App, through which young people can indicate their availability to the recruiter in real time. "In this way, we not only know what they can do, but when they can do it," says Kooistra. "This makes it possible to place temp workers at companies in just a few hours. The app is, therefore, another central part of the marketing campaign we are launching this week.”

‘The labour market is shouting out for innovation’
"The labour market is shouting out for innovation", says Ineke Kooistra. "There is a need for an organisation that approaches temporary employment differently, as our results show." The company was founded by three young entrepreneurs less than fifteen years ago, under the name StudentenWerk. Their revolutionary online approach forced temp agencies to digitise radically. The company grew much faster than the rest of the temp branch. In 2014, YoungCapital achieved a turnover of 100 million euros, with 300 employees with an average age of 27. Kooistra: "We don't just work with the new generation, we are the new generation." In 2014, the Erasmus University and the Ministry of Economic Affairs counted YoungCapital among the four most innovative companies in the Netherlands.

From StudentenWerk to YoungCapital
YoungCapital was originally a student temp agency, but nowadays it focuses heavily on placing graduates and young professionals. The name StudentenWerk has, therefore, now transferred to the name of the mother company. Through a major marketing campaign, Kooistra wants everyone to get to know YoungCapital this year.

About YoungCapital
YoungCapital believes in the power of young people. As digital natives, they drive innovation within organisations. The recruitment specialist, with 35 locations in the Netherlands and Germany, views young people as the growth capital every company needs. YoungCapital does its utmost to bring out the best in young people and companies. So they can continue to stimulate each other to grow.

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