Elevator Pitch is a regular feature on Lifehacker where we profile startups and new companies and pick their brains for entrepreneurial advice. This week, we’re talking with Shane Martz, founder of iBackpacker.
In 128 words or less, explain your business idea.
iBackpacker is revolutionising the way travellers find work. iBackpacker is a free recruiting service aimed at travellers that instantly gets job seekers in front of a wide variety of businesses that are currently hiring in their area. By only having to fill out one job application form and being eligible for an unlimited amount of jobs, travellers can save hours of time applying for jobs and focus on having fun.
As an employer, iBackpacker works as a ground breaking tool to get in touch with potential employees that are available and in their desired location, with an easily filtered and searchable list of applicants all at the click of a button on the iBackpacker website.
What strategies are you using to grow and finance your idea?
We will be contacting hostels around the country to get the word out to the backpackers of Australia in order to grow the product. In terms of financing, we have not looked into potential investment partners yet but it is an avenue we may soon explore.
What’s the biggest challenge facing your business?
As iBackpacker was just launched this yuear, the biggest challenge at the moment is simply getting the word out. We will strive to deliver a top-notch recruiting experience and through positive referrals and word of mouth we will push iBackpacker into the forefront of the online recruiting industry.
How do your differentiate your business from your competitors?
In the past, travelling job seekers were forced to apply for jobs one by one on various websites, constantly changing around their resumes to fit each job description. We found this to be a very time-consuming process, especially for travellers who are always on the go and may only be in a city for a month at a time. With iBackpacker, you only have to spend one minute on our standard job application form which then sends their information to a variety of companies in your area, depending on what job preferences you select. Additionally, job seekers can put their information up in advance of travelling to a new city and therefore make job contacts before even arriving.
iBackpacker also differentiates itself from our competitors by offering employers a much simpler and more efficient way of browsing through potential applicants, with all relevant information easily searchable through multiple filters. A company can use iBackpacker to find a desired applicant or group of applicants to invite to an interview in a matter of seconds, compared with more traditional job sites where they must sort through hundreds of resumes and personal descriptions which they may not necessarily need.
What one phone, tablet or PC application could you not live without?
WhatsApp for messaging, Soundcloud for new music, and I may have even had a brief love affair with Flappy Bird!
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t be afraid to make big mistakes. Many of the best things that can happen in business happen on the heels of failure.
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