Online recruitment is expandingas people avoid face-to-face contact during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has upgradedits website, app and WeChat account to help match up employers and job seekers.

The app lets employers publish recruitment ads, review applicants’ resumes and send out notices for interviews. Job seekers can register on the app, seek information and submit resumes. The center is also working with online recruiters, such as zhaopin.com and 58.com.

The city employment promotion center’s WeChat account now connects enterprises with potential employees. Companies facing labor shortages such as online food suppliers Freshhippo, Ele.me,Dingdong and Cainiao Logistics have advertised on the center'saccount.

Freshhippo’s recruitment ad on the center'sWeChat accountwas viewed more than 20,000 times. The company interviewed about 500 people and hired 83.

Lawson reported 200 vacancies in its city convenience stores during the Spring Festival holiday, rising to 277 as employees failed to return due to the virus. An ad on the center'sWeChataccounton February 8 received more than 200 applications in 2 days. At least 150 new staff have been hired after remote interviews.

The bureau and the Education Commission have begun to promote online recruitment of new graduates. A recent notice suggested online recruitment events and smart service platforms to connect students and employers and said offline recruitment events should be suspended indefinitely.

Shanghai Normal University organized an online recruitment fair on Monday afternoon with the Only Education Group, interacting with candidates via video calls. It attracted about 1,650 students and 45 have submitted resumes. Online interviews will take place later.

The university has plans for five more online recruitment events in March and April.

Tongji University has asked employers to cooperate with the university in organizing online recruitment events and is accepting reservations for online presentations by employers.