Social Media Recruiting, which is also sometimes referred to as Social Recruiting or Social Hiring, refers to the process of hiring new employees and finding and getting in touch with potential talent and candidates through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Social media is no longer just used to interact with people for entertainment purposes only; it has become a legitimate platform for hiring new employees.
According to an estimate, around 94% of potential employers use social media to network and post any job openings. Further, approximately 59% of employees of companies said that they chose the company they worked at,mainly due to its social media presence. This means that a more robust social media presence is more likely to get more experienced and talented employees. According to research, 73% of people aged between 18 and 34 said that they got in touch with their current employers through social media.
Importance of Social Media Recruiting
An average person spends around 145 minutes or close to two and a half hours on social media every day. Whether we realize it or not, social media strongly impacts us and helps shape our opinions. When a company has a strong and positive social media presence, it is more likely to pop into the mind when looking for a job. Further, candidates are more likely to apply to a company they have interacted with, in at least some capacity online.
92% of recruiters say they currently use social media tactics and strategies to hire new employees. This means that recruiting through social media is not just an emerging trend;instead, it has become the norm. When looking for jobs, people are more likely to start from social media. Following are some key benefits of recruiting through social media.
1. Employers are more likely to find younger, talented, and tech-savvy candidates on social media.
2. Social media allows employers to constantly and actively connect and interact with potential candidates.
3. Due to the relatively informal setting, both the employer and the candidate can get a clearer idea about each other and whether they fit.
4. It allows companies to develop and advertise their brand through their posts and interaction with people online, which humanizes them to a certain extent.
5. Candidates are Micro or Macro targeted by companies depending upon what they require specifically.
6. It broadens the horizons for both the candidates and the employers, allowing them to interact with a much larger number of people and find just the right person or company.
7. Social Media also allows and promotes proactive recruitment.
Here are a few steps and tips on social media Recruiting that a company can take that will allow it to recruit new employees successfully.
Establish Social Media Presence:
Before any company can even hope to interact with or recruit anyone through social media, it must first have a solid social media presence. The company should have accounts on various social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These accounts should be linked to each other to increase their credibility and make the company more trustworthy. There should be timely updates and posts about the company and its progress, allowing the possible candidates a glimpse into how the company operates and the goals and aims.
Once there is a stable enough following, a company can then post any job openings only and advertise them. More candidates are likely to apply if the company has a larger following.
Further, the younger generation looks for an emotional connection with their company. It is best to post about things that make them feel passionate and that they might become part of something more significant and impactful. It is also better to be consistent, rather than jumping from one topic to another in your posts, as that portrays the image that the company is not sure about its goals.
Involve Employees:
People are more likely to listen to and believe real-life experiences of other people rather than something a company puts forward. Engaging and including the company’s employees on social media platforms humanizes the company,becoming more likable. Also, every employee has their social circle; by asking them to post about the company or any job openings on their social media handles, the company expands its reach. Further, people are more likely to apply to a company if it has been recommended by someone they know or someone they know works there.
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is the best social media platform for getting in contact with potential candidates or employers. According to an estimate, around 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to recruit new employees.
Most fresh graduates and people hoping to get back into the workforce tend to start with LinkedIn. The platform is easy to navigate, and employers and candidates can interact comfortably in a semi-formal environment. By Networking on LinkedIn, a company can identify the top key players and the best talent available on the platform and approach them accordingly.
Social Media Advertising:
While scrolling through social media, we come across innumerable ads, and while we don’t register them, our brain unconsciously absorbs the information. Posting eye-catching and engaging content and then advertising it on various platforms is one investment that will have a positive turnabout and will not be wasted. These advertisements will help improve the reputation of the brand. Furthermore, advertising any job opening helps the company connect with a larger audience and access much more talented and experienced individuals.
Conclusion
To conclude, social media is not only a platform where people interact informally and build social relations; it can also be used to network formally and make connections that can prove to be very beneficial for companies. These platforms can be used to get in touch with potential candidates, attract more talented and experienced people and recruit them into the company.
