MEDIA
A certain post, shared on a popular job portal, that names a school which is hiring, along with its pin code, highlights a trend that is being adopted by organisations and enterprises, to scale up.
‘Pin code Recruitment’ (PCR), or, Near Me Jobs, as this trend has been branded, is well on its way to answering some of India’s most complex challenges – unemployment, underemployment and skilling. It is opening up verified jobs to job seekers, and pre-screened candidates to recruiters, across categories, within their pin code neighbourhood.
Interestingly, these include jobs in IT, logistics, BPO, data management, marketing, human resource, automotive, FMCD, BFSI, e-Commerce, mobility, retail, hospitality, construction, health-care and education, among others.
What is Pin code recruitment ?
A relatively recent concept, pin code jobs revolutionised ‘employment’ during and after the multiple Covid19 lockdowns.
Job layoffs, pay cuts and reverse migration of lakhs of Indians to their hometowns in semi-urban and rural locations, became routine. Oddly, in no time, the lure of city life dimmed, and the security of living closer to home became more appealing.
That’s how and when this unique idea of tapping into India’s Human Resource goldmine took shape. The advent of technologies such as Ai, data mining and analytics, and increase in internet access through mobile phones resulted in new and innovative recruitment strategies.
The most trending among these is the use of pin codes or Postal Identification Number as a call out in job postings.
Targeted at candidates living in specific geographic locations, pin code recruitment is a process through which multiple online job portals and apps reach out to candidates with job opportunities within specific pin code areas. Candidates who are qualified for the given positions then apply for those jobs and find employment that is not only suitable but also conveniently located.
This Ai-driven approach to recruitment struck home because it is particularly useful in a country like India, where there is a huge, scattered, talent pool and much diversity in terms of background, academic qualifications, skills, and experience across different regions. The technology that is used by online recruitment portals sources and verifies candidates, conducts background checks, manages video interviews and releases offers to a verified workforce. It also enables companies to hire at scale and reduces the cost of hiring. Be it services or manufacturing, part time or full-time jobs, gig employment or permanent staffing, grey, blue, or white-collar jobs, pin code recruitment covers them all.
Available in vernacular languages also, the job postings (online and offline) reach out to millions across the country. This opens up hitherto unopened doors for Indian youth who are more comfortable with using their regional languages while seeking jobs
What makes pin code recruitment click?
Some of the key benefits of pin code recruitment is that it significantly reduces the time and cost associated with traditional recruitment methods, especially when it comes to screening large numbers of applicants. Pin code recruitment allows companies to focus their efforts on specific regions, which means they can screen a smaller pool of candidates who are more likely to meet the job requirements.
Another benefit of pin code recruitment is that companies can get a better handle on the local culture and work environment, by recruiting candidates who are likely to thrive in that environment. This can lead to better retention rates and a more engaged workforce.
Pin code recruitment also helps to address some of the challenges associated with diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Onboarding of women, students, retired personnel and people with disabilities having the relevant skills and experience, as well as a strong understanding of the local market result in stronger relationships with local communities and thereby improved productivity and profitability for the organization.
For job aspirants, pin code recruitment is God-sent because it reduces commute and leads to a better work-life balance. Thanks to new wage-earning opportunities in smaller towns, there is less pressure to migrate to big cities. In addition, some pin code areas may have a lower cost of living than others, allowing individuals to save money on urban rentals and other costs.
India has 19,101 PINs across the country, including some of the most remote locations in the world. Making livelihood accessible to people in these far away locations will surely be a gamechanger.
With the expansion of banks and financial institutions, establishment of manufacturing units and development of rural infrastructure in India, there will be more opportunities for jobs in remote locations across India, according to a survey.