Finding qualified talent who prioritize work-life balance and community involvement remains challenging, even with consistent job postings. While candidates actively use social media to research potential employers, many businesses find it difficult to maintain an effective online presence. A thoughtful social media approach is essential for connecting with the right talent.
Let us explore practical methods to build your social media presence and attract candidates who share your company values.
The Role of Social Media
You might feel that social media is not a crucial part of attracting talent or that it may seem like wasted effort. However, leveraging social media can significantly expand your reach and visibility.
Consider this: the majority of Americans are online and active on social platforms. Around 68 percent use Facebook, 47 percent are on Instagram, and between 27 and 35 percent regularly engage with platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Snapchat.1
Moreover, 58 percent of job seekers turn to social media to gather information about potential employers. In fact, 48 percent of both Gen Z (ages 18-25) and Millennials (ages 26-41) with work experience have applied to jobs they discovered on social media.2
These statistics show that more candidates are looking for opportunities online rather than through traditional channels like newspaper ads. If your business lacks an active social media presence, you are missing opportunities to connect with qualified talent right here in our community.
Related Reading: Transform Your Business with the Right Technology: Why Upgrading Your Tech Stack Can Drive Efficiency and Growth
Tips for Utilizing Social Media to Attract Top Talent
In a world where candidates have countless options, using social media the right way can set your company apart in the race for top talent. Here are some social media recruitment best practices.
1. Choose the Right Platforms
Each platform offers unique advantages, and understanding these can significantly enhance your recruitment efforts. Understanding these distinctions helps you effectively reach and connect with your target candidates.
Facebook excels at community engagement. Share your participation in events like the Flagstaff Chamber mixers, Made in the Shade Beer Festival, or Northern Arizona Technology Alliance meetups. Highlight your team’s involvement in local initiatives like the Flagstaff Festival of Science or Fourth of July celebrations.
LinkedIn remains essential for professional networking, particularly for connecting with NAU graduates and local professionals. Your company updates here can spotlight employee achievements and industry insights.
Instagram offers visual storytelling opportunities. Share glimpses of your team volunteering at Flagstaff Family Food Center, celebrating at company picnics in Buffalo Park, or participating in the Flagstaff Art Walk. This authentic content resonates with potential candidates who value community involvement.
2. Highlight Your Employer Brand
Your online presence extends beyond social media. To effectively attract top talent, consider the following:
Optimize Your Digital Presence
Ensure your company website accurately reflects your brand and is mobile-friendly. As more job seekers use smartphones and tablets in their search, a responsive site is crucial. Include an engaging “Careers” page that highlights your company’s values and mission.
Share Authentic Stories
Use your website and social media to showcase real employee experiences. Video testimonials or employee spotlights can create a strong emotional connection with potential candidates, giving them insight into your company culture.
Highlight Growth Opportunities
Emphasize professional development programs or success stories of internal promotions. This demonstrates your commitment to employee growth and can attract ambitious candidates who are looking for long-term career prospects.
3. Create Engaging Content
Using different content types helps keep your social media interesting and informative for potential job candidates. It allows you to show various aspects of your company and job opportunities in ways that appeal to different people.
Consider using these content types:
- Videos
- Infographics
- Articles
- Employee stories
- Job descriptions
- Company updates
- Industry news
- Photos of company events
Utilizing a mix of these formats provides a well-rounded view of what it is like to work at your company. This approach helps potential employees gain a better understanding of your workplace. It can also entice them to apply.
4. Promote Job Openings
People often notice images and videos more than plain text, so using visual content in your job posts can make them stand out. With social media, you can easily create eye-catching banners or posters without the hassle of printing or distribution costs. This allows your job openings to stand out and be more engaging.
Social sharing expands your reach organically when employees and followers share openings within their networks. Our mountain town’s close-knit community makes this particularly effective.
Target your posts by location and skills to reach qualified candidates. Use local keywords that resonate with our community, from Downtown to East Side neighborhoods. This focused approach helps attract talent familiar with our unique market.
Direct messaging features allow immediate interaction with interested candidates, streamlining your hiring process and improving response rates.
5. Engage with Potential Candidates
Social media platforms offer a unique advantage in recruitment: the ability to engage in quick, casual conversations with potential candidates. Unlike emails or application forms, these interactions help build rapport and trust more naturally.
When you post about job openings or company culture, candidates can easily comment or ask questions. This immediate back-and-forth gives them a better feel for your company and the position, often resulting in more informed and interested applicants. Your prompt responses can create a positive first impression of your communication style.
The informal nature of social also encourages candidates to ask questions they might hesitate to include in a formal application. This can provide both parties with valuable insights to assess potential fit.
Hashtags are another convenient function. Job seekers often search for industry-specific or location-based hashtags when looking for opportunities, so this can help your openings get in front of the right people.
6. Build a Community
Encourage employees to share authentic workplace experiences on social media. Whether it is your team volunteering at Flagstaff Shelter Services, participating in Earth Day cleanups, or enjoying events at local spots like Historic Downtown, these shared moments showcase your organization’s values.
Consider how Mother Road Brewing engages their community by highlighting employee stories and local partnerships. Their approach attracts candidates who value both professional growth and community involvement.
Building an engaged following creates a valuable talent pool. While followers might not be actively job searching, they will remember your culture and community involvement when considering career moves.
Ready to attract top talent? Performance Staffing is here to help!
With these social media strategies and our 30 years of local staffing expertise, we can help your business build an effective online presence to attract qualified talent. Performance Staffing’s team is ready to support you. We provide supplemental staff across office/professional, accounting, technical, and light Industrial sectors.
Contact us today for customized solutions that align with your staffing needs and business goals. Schedule a Consultation now!
References
- Gottfried, Jeffrey. “Americans’ Social Media Use: YouTube and Facebook Are by Far the Most Used Online Platforms Among U.S. Adults; TikTok’s User Base Has Grown Since 2021.” Pew Research Center, 31 Jan. 2024, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-social-media-use/.
- “Nearly Half (48% Each) of Gen Z and Millennials With Work Experience Have Applied to Jobs They Found via Social Media.” PR Newswire, 23 Aug. 2022, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nearly-half-48-each-of-gen-z-and-millennials-with-work-experience-have-applied-to-jobs-they-found-via-social-media-301610609.html.
