It goes without saying that many recruitment strategies businesses used in 1950 are outdated. However, recruitment strategies for today’s job seekers seem to change at the blink of an eye as well. What worked five years ago or even two years ago is not as effective now. One reason: today’s job seekers are eschewing laptops and computers as they turn to smartphones and other mobile devices such as tablets. They even apply for jobs via their phones. With that in mind, use these mobile recruitment strategies for today’s job seekers to tap into a skilled and diverse talent pool.
Understand What Job Seekers Do and Want
Job seekers use their mobile devices for reasons such as: – Receiving instant notifications about jobs – Researching employers – Finding content from employers to interact with (for example, a quiz titled, ïWould you fit in here?ï – Watching recruiting videos and listening to podcasts – Applying to jobs So, your recruitment strategies for today’s job seekers should include mobile-friendly job descriptions, mobile job applications and other ways to reach mobile job seekers. For example: – Job postings that allow applicants to call or text message hiring managers instead of submitting resumes – Mobile applications that ask for LinkedIn profile links or portfolio links instead of resume and cover letter uploads in .doc format – Automated updates that show the progression of an application (for example, ïCongratulations! Your application was received,ï and ïHiring managers reviewed your application materials today. We’ll be in touch very soon about the next step.ï) – QR codes in recruiting materials – Mobile-friendly websites that load in a couple of seconds or less
Take Advantage of Video
Show; don’t tell. One essential component of recruitment strategies for today’s job seekers includes video. Use this medium to provide inside glimpses of your company and to provide a platform for current employees to talk about their experiences. Video also humanizes businesses that may otherwise be seen as undesirable. For instance, if your tiny company is located in the boondocks, video highlights the beauty of the area and personalizes the experience of working at your company. Video also tests compatibility; a job posting for a sales job outlines requirements, but a video actually showing a sales call gives job seekers a realistic example of if their skills are a good fit for the position. If you’re wondering where to put your videos, options include: – Your website – Social media – YouTube – Online job sites – Candidate emails
Plan for Expanded Communications
If the mentions above of text messaging and keeping candidates updated on where they stand in the process seem overwhelming to you, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are software tools that help you with candidate management. The benefits such tools provide include filtering applicants (for example, by keywords, location, highest educational level, experience or date of application), ranking applicants and automating notifications of application progression through systems.
Reach Mobile Job Seekers Where They Are
Where are mobile job seekers when they glance up to take in the environment surrounding them? Common places include buses, subways and city streets, but in fact, mobile job seekers are everywhere. Bars, sporting events and coffee shops, for example. So, post physical job descriptions where mobile job seekers will see them. Say you tack a job ad on the bulletin board of a local coffee shop, and include a QR code that takes job seekers to your website or online job posting. From there, they could find out about the job, watch videos and apply for the position.
Write Appealing Job Descriptions
Recruitment strategies for today’s job seekers recognize that many candidates read on screens that may be as small as four inches. Practice mobile-friendly techniques when you write job descriptions. – Include the basics: title, summary, critical responsibilities, salary and qualifications – Explain why your company is a great place to work – Use subheaders and bullet points to introduce sections and emphasize points
Hold Interviews through Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing technology is a godsend for many recruiters. It allows businesses to recruit nationwide and even internationally for no additional cost. Instead of a business or a candidate having to pay to fly in for interviews, video conferencing allows for live interviews. You get to reach more tech-savvy folks in a shorter amount of time. Just remember that the folks on your end using video conferencing technology must be well versed in it. Nothing is more embarrassing (and disrespectful) than an interviewer who clearly has no idea how to use the technology. In addition, test equipment before embarking on a round of video interviews, and treat the interviews as you would in-person interviews. That means no distractions. Hold phone calls, turn off cellphones and dress appropriately. As you put recruitment strategies for today’s job seekers to use and bring all-star hires on board, turn to the resources here at Mighty Recruiter for additional guidance.