Finding the Needle in the Haystack Candidate

The woes of the desperate job candidate are well recorded, and it's easy to assume the other side has it better. But based on your human resources training and years on the job, you know the truth is often a bit more complicated—sometimes, recruiting the perfect candidate is as fraught a journey as applying for a dream job. At its core, hiring is like finding a needle in the haystack. Fortunately, the combination of social media and traditional recruiting techniques can help you attract the next star of your company. 

Modern human resources training emphasizes the value of video interviews, algorithms, and software in streamlining the recruitment process. Social media has also skyrocketed in popularity, with a purported 92 percent of businesses using online social networks to attract and engage candidates. If you haven't already, create and cultivate social media profiles and consider adding a link to your career page. Doing so reminds interested parties to act soon instead of lingering indecisively. Social media also helps you vet candidates without meeting them face to face, letting you identify individuals whose values, interests, and personalities align with your company's culture. And because recruitment is a two-way process, don’t forget to use social media to sell your company to candidates and show why you're a good fit.

Between Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, the playing field for recruitment is virtually limitless. Without the proper human resources training, shifting efforts to social media invites more work than convenience. The best HR tips focus on lessening this workload and having candidates flock to you. This can be as simple as posting an ad on LinkedIn or the Facebook Marketplace. Integrate key words that clearly embody your requirements and expectations. When account holders or the general public search for these terms, your posting will appear in the results. Avoid missed opportunities by teaching your employees how to leverage these features during your next human resources training seminar. 

Job fairs and newspaper classifieds aren't what they used to be, but there's no harm in diversifying your efforts with some old-fashioned legwork. Reserve a section for traditional strategies in your company's human resources training handbook. One easy way to reach qualified candidates is to become familiar with the local hotspots for professionals. Employees often congregate at the same coffee shops, bars, and restaurants after work. Be on hand during prime hours to introduce yourself and hand out business cards. Social media also comes in handy here, helping you locate niche groups of professionals in your area. Search for local Meetups and Tweetups, many of which prioritize networking and revolve around specific industries and specialties.  

Expanding your haystack to millions may seem overwhelming at first, but the benefits vastly outweigh the initial investment in human resources training for employees unversed in these new methods. Focusing solely on traditional channels ignores the ultimate goal—to find the best possible candidate for the job. With the right HR tips, you can conquer social media and discover potential where you least expect it.  

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