Recruiting the Drivers of the Future with Smart Application Processes

BERNMOBIL connects the people of the Bern region to their destinations reliably and efficiently. With over 80 different job profiles and a growing demand for new driving personnel, the company faced a critical challenge: making the application process simpler, faster, and more accessible to their target audience.

Andreas Roth, Head of Recruitment and Consulting at BERNMOBIL, explains why the "Smart Application" approach and the partnership with PastaHR deliver measurable added value.

Highlights at a Glance

• 25% Share of Application Volume: Today, every fourth application is submitted via Smart Flows.
• Strong Gen Z Focus: Successfully younger applicant pool (approx. 10% younger on average) thanks to an authentic, barrier-free, mobile-first approach.
• 100% System Integration: Seamless connection to existing HR software (Abacus Umantis & Prospective).

The Challenge: Reaching Mobile Target Groups in Complex Structures

Recruitment at BERNMOBIL is demanding. In transport services specifically, two worlds collide: high application volumes on one hand, and an extremely comprehensive selection process (including psychological and medical testing) on the other.

• Standard Process Barriers: Traditional web forms and email applications with attachments are often too cumbersome for a mobile-first audience. Historically, this led to high drop-off rates at the moment of peak interest.
• Long Lead Times: Due to external testing, the process often takes 1 to 1.5 months. Any friction in the initial steps causes top talent to drop out.

"We had to find a way to make the application as smart and simple as possible without losing the necessary quality in pre-selection."— Andreas Roth, Head of Recruitment and Consulting, BERNMOBIL

The Solution: Smart Application Flows Instead of Rigid Forms

Instead of traditional forms, BERNMOBIL leverages Conversational Recruiting. PastaHR enables application processes designed as an intuitive dialogue. This "Smart Flow" reduces entry barriers to a minimum and guides applicants effortlessly through data entry.

The Strategic Choice: Why PastaHR?

BERNMOBIL wasn't just looking for a messaging channel; they wanted a holistic, intelligent solution for their future ecosystem. PastaHR was chosen based on several key criteria:

1. Seamless System Integration: Automated connectivity to Abacus Umantis and Prospective was essential. Data flows directly into the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), massively reducing manual workloads.
2. AI-Powered Interaction: AI intelligently guides applicants through the process, understanding context to provide a personalized, modern candidate experience.
3. Speed of Innovation: PastaHR was chosen as a partner that actively evolves its product, incorporating customer feedback directly into new features.
4. Trust and Cultural Alignment: Beyond cost-efficiency, the partnership level was the deciding factor. Having a local partner who understands the nuances of the Swiss market was vital.

"PastaHR doesn't just offer us an isolated chat solution; it provides a smart process that reflects our corporate culture and fits seamlessly into our system landscape."

Implementation: Agility in Practice

The core of the solution is intelligent user guidance. Together with PastaHR, a flow was developed that balances high conversion rates (low barriers) with rich data (quality for HR).

The agility of the collaboration proved particularly valuable: direct feedback to the PastaHR product team allowed for the optimization of details like intelligent address and personal data capture. Applications can now be completed "on the go" in seconds—perfect for the mobile workforce in the transport sector.

The Results: Efficiency and New Demographics

The shift to smart application processes has had a measurable impact on BERNMOBIL’s recruiting success:

• High Adoption: Around 25% of all applications are now generated via PastaHR Smart Flows.
• Targeting Gen Z: Data shows that users of these smart paths are, on average, 10% younger than traditional applicants. The chat-based interface provides the language and speed that Gen Z expects from modern digital services.
• Process Automation: Data validation and transfer are fully automated, providing a significant efficiency boost for the HR team.

Looking Ahead: Continuous Optimization

For BERNMOBIL, the collaboration with PastaHR is a milestone in the digitalization of recruitment. The focus now lies on the steady refinement of flows to further decrease drop-off rates and use AI support to enhance applicant quality before the first human review.

"Smart applications are the key for us to stay ahead in the competition for talent. PastaHR is the innovative partner walking this path with us."

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