10 recruitment strategy examples
The recruitment strategy examples below work for a variety of open positions. It’s important to identify your company’s needs before you develop a recruiting plan. The right combination of tactics depends on your industry and the type of position you’re trying to fill.
Once you know what you need, use at least one recruitment strategy example on this list to build an applicant pool.
1. Create an employee referral program
An employee referral program incentivizes current employees to refer quality applicants to your organization. The incentive is usually monetary, such as a $500 bonus for each successful referral.
If you create a referral program, set clear expectations. For example, a successful referral might be an applicant who gets hired and stays with the organization for at least six months. You may limit referrals to employees who have been with your company for a set period of time or the number of referrals per employee.
2. Update your careers website
A careers website combines a standard job board with pages designed to make your company more attractive to prospective employees. The easier it is to learn about your company, the more likely it is that you’ll increase the size of your applicant pool.
At minimum, display your mission, vision and values. To make the website even more effective, consider adding the following elements:
- Testimonials from current or past employees
- Information about company benefits
- Video interviews with company leaders
- Details about the organization’s products or services
- Virtual tours of offices and other workspaces
Consider using bold headings, bulleted lists, images and other page elements to break up large blocks of text.
3. Implement advanced recruiting technology
Every time someone submits an application, messages your company on social media or emails our hiring team, you can use AI to send an automated response. Technology can also help make it easier to aggregate data, helping you identify potential applicants using multiple internet sources.
4. Post on social media
Many people use social networks to learn more about job opportunities in their communities, establish relationships with potential applicants and encourage them to apply for openings matching their qualifications. Here are a few ways to use this hiring strategy example to your advantage:
- Post new job descriptions as they become available
- Highlight current employees and the work they do
- Share positive articles about your company
- Publish videos showcasing your company’s culture and values
- Communicate directly with prospective employees via comments and private messages
5. Check your applicant tracking system (ATS)
If your company has an applicant tracking system (ATS), check it regularly to determine if any previous candidates might be a good fit for your current openings. For example, your second choice for an accounting manager role may be an excellent match for the senior accountant position you’re trying to fill.
6. Attend community events
Maintaining a strong community presence makes it easier for prospective employees to learn about your organization. To build a strong brand, consider having your recruitment team attend job fairs and other community events. These events offer a valuable opportunity to promote your company as an employer of choice.
7. Partner with colleges, universities and trade schools
Colleges, universities and trade schools are an excellent source of prospective employees. To use this recruitment strategy example, have one of your HR representatives contact the Director of Career Services at each school in your area. You may be able to offer paid internships or cooperative education opportunities, both of which have the potential to turn into full-time employment when a student graduates.
Even if you don’t hire interns or co-op employees, you can still attend university job fairs or share your job postings with local trade schools.
8. Streamline your interview process
Candidates often share information about a company’s hiring process, so it’s important to have organized, well-prepared interviewers. Instruct your hiring team to review each candidate’s application materials and prepare a list of questions ahead of time.
If you use a lengthy interview process, consider removing unnecessary steps. For example, you may be able to do one video interview and one in-person interview instead of requiring candidates to attend two in-person interviews.
9. Improve your job descriptions
When you write a job description, start strong by explaining what makes your company unique. Make sure the job title matches the duties and qualifications outlined in the description. Use simple words and short sentences to make it easy for prospective employees to determine if they should apply.
10. Provide training for hiring managers
Improve the experience for candidates by training your hiring managers to ask appropriate questions and provide timely feedback.
Consider holding mock interviews to give hiring managers a chance to practice their new skills before they meet with candidates. This is one of the best recruitment strategy examples if you’re looking to use your current resources more effectively.
