Online job boards, social media and LinkedIn make it easier than ever to get a wide range of applicants. However, it doesn’t always mean they’re top-tier candidates. That is why companies need to put in the effort and think strategically to recruit the strongest applicants. Here are five tips for finding candidates that stand out in your industry.
Write clear job descriptions
Writing clear job descriptions will attract the right people to your company. Often, recruiters will use language that is playful or purposely vague in an attempt to draw in talent. However, a strong job description should clearly and simply state the job title, purpose, responsibilities, necessary qualifications, culture and working environment. This allows relevant candidates to self-select in to the recruitment process, and encourages wrong-fit candidates to self-select out of the process.
A well-written job description sets clear expectations for prospective employees applying to that position. That is why it is important to use neutral language that describes the responsibilities of the position and not the characteristics of the ideal candidate. To provide the most clarity and accuracy, recruiters should work with the hiring manager to draft honest and accurate role descriptions.
Create an employer branding strategy
A company’s employer brand is the reputation it has in the eyes of its employees and the general public. An effective employer branding strategy showcases your company’s mission, values, and purpose to the outside world. 94% of candidates are likely to apply to a job if the company is actively managing its brand, according to Bernard Hodes Group. Today’s job seekers are looking for companies with a positive culture and vision that they identify with, making it essential to provide a transparent look at the company’s mission and core values.
Demonstrate your employee value proposition
An employee value proposition, or EVP, outlines the benefits that a company offers its employees in return for their skills and experience. Your EVP should explain why someone would want to work for you: from your perks and benefits, to flexibility, corporate social responsibility, and remuneration packages.
Today’s job seekers tend to want more than “just a paycheck” so in addition to being transparent about compensation, your EVP should clearly highlight other benefits and perks, career development opportunities, and your company’s vision and greater goals. Some of the most enticing EVP elements include stock options and bonuses, paid time off, retirement funds, tuition reimbursement, and leadership training. An effective EVP shows candidates how much you value their experience and what they’ll bring to the position.
Post on job sites specific to your industry
Many recruiters post their job listings on as many job boards as possible in order to cast a wide net for candidates. This ‘spray and pray’ tactic may be effective in gaining applications —but often, these applications will be unsuitable. To be more strategic, post on job boards that are specific to your company’s industry and guide promising leads back to your own career site. Candidates who are looking for specific roles are more likely to find your company this way than they are going through more general job sites. Posting on specific sites also limits the number of applicants, giving recruiters a narrower but more qualified talent pool.
Optimize your career site
Certain roles are so specialized that finding talented candidates to fill them can be a challenge. This is when having a high-quality, optimized career site is an invaluable asset.
To build your brand awareness and attract more eyes to your site, create department-level pages on your that build a funnel for these hard-to-fill roles. These specified pages give candidates an accurate description of what that department does and what they’re looking for as they grow. Creating these pages optimizes your site’s search engine ranking, making your company easier to find when talented candidates are searching for specific keywords.
If you’re struggling to find candidates, Clinch can streamline your hiring process and engage the best applicants. Withsing smart career sites, automated communication, employee-generated content tools and a customisable CRM,we can turn any organization into a talent magnet. Learn how Clinch can help you smash your hiring goals with a 3-minute tour.
