When you’re looking to hire, don’t overlook one of today’s most effective tools: social media.
You should still post your job opening to the local job board in order to reach candidates in Alaska who are actively seeking a new position.
However, when you supplement this posting with social media activity, you’ll increase the number of candidates who apply for the job — and attract candidates you might otherwise miss.
Alert your network
Begin by letting people in your network know that your company has an open position.
A simple social media post can be highly effective: “XYZ company is looking for a manager of widgets to oversee operations at our Alaska facility. Here are more details (link to job posting on local job board).”
It’s also helpful to include, “Please share.”
What if most of the people in your network don’t live in Alaska? This is something you’ll want to work on changing. In the meantime, alert your network anyway.
Why? Because, unbeknownst to you, your friend Sue’s brother recently relocated to Alaska and he’s a looking for a job as a manager of widgets. Plus, your colleague Harry has a cousin who lives in Alaska and the guy knows everyone.
Spread the word about your job opening and your network will spread the word.
Talk about your company
Sharing a job opening on social media is the most obvious way to further your recruitment efforts. But it’s by no means the only way to reach candidates.
Social media offers incredible opportunities for building your employer brand, which, in turn, helps generate interest in your workplace and what it has to offer.
Here are actual examples of how employers use a company Facebook page to “talk” about the workplace.
Example: One company posted photos of its CEO being honored as one of the “Cool Women of 2015” by the local chapter of Girl Scouts; the post includes a throwback photo of the CEO in her Girl Scout uniform.
What the post conveys: The CEO is a woman, and a cool woman besides. The company is involved in the community, and respected by the community. The company cares about young people, and is interested in developing a future workforce.
Example: Another company posted that it will be attending a local job fair and invited people to stop by and say hello to Denise and Nicole from human resources.
What the post conveys: The company will attend a local job fair — job seekers, take note. The HR department is open to inquiries. The use of first names suggests a friendly, casual workplace.
Example: A medical practice posted photos of its staff participating in a benefit bowl-a-thon.
What the post conveys: The medical practice supports the local community. Staff members get along well and socialize outside of work. Smiling, happy people suggest a positive workplace.
Example: Still another company’s post reads, “We are hiring!!” It then mentions an upcoming job fair.
What the post conveys: The straight-forward post with two exclamation points conveys opportunity — and multiple opportunities at that. It sounds like the business is growing. If you’re a job seeker, you’ll want to find out more.
Example: Yet another company posts photos as construction progresses on its new headquarters.
What the posts convey: A large, new facility says the company is growing. Growth translates to job opportunities, for current employees and those interested in joining the company. What’s more, a new building means a nice, new place to work.
Tell your story
As you can see, none of these posts broadcasts extraordinary news. Nevertheless, each update conveys positive messages that further the company’s recruitment efforts.
What’s your story? Are you sharing it on social media?
Paula Santonocito, a business journalist specializing in employment issues, has covered online recruitment since the early days of Web-based employment advertising and candidate sourcing.
