11 May 2007

Jobseekers are increasingly relying on the Internet to find employment, new figures suggest.

More than two million people used the Jobcentre Plus website during a single week in March, carrying out 6.5 million searches.

Jobcentre Plus said that since the start of the year, it has already handled more than 70 million searches on its website, which is used by employers and job hunters alike.

The government agency's Chief Executive, Lesley Strathie, said its online portal offers a "vital channel" to helping people into employment.

She added that the growth experienced by Jobcentre Plus reflects a "wider trend" among individuals and employers to use the Internet in recruitment.

The online recruitment sector is worth more than £180 million, according to Tim Elkington of Enhance Media.

Speaking at an Internet Advertising Bureau seminar last week, the online recruitment specialist said 43 per cent of Internet users have searched for employment on the web.

© Adfero Ltd

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