Recruitment Technology Innovation of the Year 2022: Oliver Sanderson's Snapp

“Alexa, find me a job.”

Thanks to the team at Oliver Sanderson and its tech platform Snapp, these simple words are transforming lives around the world, matching great people with great jobs.

Snapp is a pioneering suite of digital recruitment apps offering digital solutions at every stage of the recruitment process, including an innovative mobile job board, integrated video interviewing options, and an exclusive integration partnership with Amazon Alexa. With the added function of ‘Job Loc’, a GPS location service powered by Google, jobs find you!

The unique contribution made by the platform was recently recognised at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, where Snapp was named Recruitment Technology Innovation of the Year 2022.

Led by Group CEO Natasha Makhijani, recently recognised as one of “The 10 Most Admired Women CEOs to follow in 2022”, Snapp has a bright future.

This is the story of a platform transforming the world of recruitment.

A lockdown innovation

Snapp was originally launched in 2020, developed by UK executive search firm Oliver Sanderson in collaboration with an in-house tech team in response to the challenges of the COVID pandemic and lockdowns. As Natasha Makhijani explains, “We needed an effective way to transition to digital modes of delivery, and Snapp evolved from a useful tool into a much broader and more ambitious platform.”

Thanks to an exclusive integration partnership with Amazon Alexa, Snapp gained access to over 100 million devices. Snapp powers Amazon Alexa’s ‘Find me a Job’ skill, and currently has over 25 million candidates registered in the UK and the USA, with over 250,000 positions listed on its mobile job board. Utilised by Oliver Sanderson’s research team, a number of high-profile employers have used the software, including British Airways, Aviva, Engie, and Scottish Gas Networks, providing outstanding feedback.

Transforming recruitment

Designed by recruiters for recruiters, Snapp has transformed the recruitment process, empowering recruiters and jobseekers in the transition to digital platforms.

From advertising roles on Snapp CV & Resume, to seamless candidate research and application processes, to first stage pre-recorded video interviews using Snapp Inview – interviews and hiring are delivered with speed and efficiency. Direct sourcing and hiring times have been significantly reduced, and processes can now be run fully online, supporting the recruitment industry and jobseekers throughout lockdown.

Last year a ‘Tips and Tricks’ area was added to the app, where users can access short clips providing job seeking advice and interview tips.

Snapp harnesses the power of modern technology to discover and connect with the next generation of business leaders. At a time when global inequalities have brought recruitment processes under the spotlight, the Snapp innovations are helping to break down barriers and connect international networks in a powerful way. Employers can access a global pool of talent, engaging with candidates from a wider variety of backgrounds, while jobseekers are provided with a plethora of opportunities and support programmes to find their ideal match.

As the world’s first mobile job board with voice technology capability and Amazon Alexa connectivity, the Snapp suite of digital recruitment apps is transforming recruitment, helping it to adjust to complex new challenges and engage with a wider pool of talent.

Breaking down barriers

Another priority for the team behind Snapp is the global issue of diversity and inclusion. Snapp has made a significant impact by leading the way on Voice Technology, breaking down barriers to entry for those with vision impairment and other user needs. With the platform led by Natasha Makhijani, a passionate industry ambassador for underrepresented communities, the app provides dedicated support programmes, mentoring, and live networking events for users from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The platform now features an advanced digital learning platform designed to help its users identify suitable vacancies and employers, develop their skills and CV, expand their networks, and find rewarding roles that enable them to reach their full potential. As part of a commitment to expanding opportunities and reaching new communities, the team created a series of programs aimed at young jobseekers. A dedicated Skills section features tips on how to find jobs and internships, write CVs, make applications, and other related careers advice. Utilising gamification techniques to enhance engagement, the team are developing a game called Snapp Apprentice where graduates collect CVs while making their way through virtual environments and custom-built scenarios.

As the Snapp alumni network grows, users are already beginning to give back to the community. They are a vital part of a platform that is breaking down barriers by reaching out to new communities and discovering the next generation of business leaders.

An inspirational founder

Snapp was the brainchild of Akash Raj Daswani, who sadly passed away after a short illness on 29th August, 2022.

After graduating with a degree in Property and Finance from the Cass Business School at City, University of London, Ash pursued an enterprising career as an entrepreneur in the software development industry. As a pioneer of new digital products determined to beat the “big brands”, Ash achieved top listings on Amazon for several of his digital accessories. He launched an eBook well before the Amazon Kindle, and eventually developed a partnership with the platform, specializing in the creation of Alexa skills. He launched a series of channels for health, fitness, make-up, and cooking – with famous chefs such as Atul Kochar, a close personal friend, making guest appearances.

Ash’s work with Amazon inspired the creation of Snapp, which Ash envisioned along with his partner Natasha Makhijani as the world’s first voice technology-enabled mobile job board. The app was an immediate success, becoming a trending download on the Amazon Alexa platform with over 90,000 user downloads in the first couple of months.

Snapp was launched as a sister business to Oliver Sanderson, an executive search business led by Ash’s wife Natasha Makhijani. A powerful supporter of his partner, Ash was proud to watch Natasha grow Oliver Sanderson from nothing – one lady on a laptop on her dining room table – to become an international business with major clients like British Airways and Aviva. Together they took on the world, and often won.

Today the teams at Oliver Sanderson and Snapp would like to dedicate their award for Recruitment Technology Innovation of the Year 2022 to Ash, whose example will continue to inspire them.

Under the forward-thinking leadership of Natasha Makhijani, Oliver Sanderson and Snapp are helping to change the face of recruitment.