When you\u2019re looking to hire, don\u2019t overlook one of today\u2019s most effective tools: social media.<\/p>\n
You should still post your job opening to the local job board in order to reach candidates in Alaska who are actively seeking a new position.<\/p>\n
However, when you supplement this posting with social media activity, you\u2019ll increase the number of candidates who apply for the job \u2014 and attract candidates you might otherwise miss.<\/p>\n
Alert your network<\/strong><\/p>\n Begin by letting people in your network know that your company has an open position.<\/p>\n A simple social media post can be highly effective: \u201cXYZ company is looking for a manager of widgets to oversee operations at our Alaska facility. Here are more details (link to job posting on local job board).\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also helpful to include, \u201cPlease share.\u201d<\/p>\n What if most of the people in your network don\u2019t live in Alaska? This is something you\u2019ll want to work on changing. In the meantime, alert your network anyway.<\/p>\n Why? Because, unbeknownst to you, your friend Sue\u2019s brother recently relocated to Alaska and he\u2019s a looking for a job as a manager of widgets. Plus, your colleague Harry has a cousin who lives in Alaska and the guy knows everyone.<\/p>\n Spread the word about your job opening and your network will spread the word.<\/p>\n Talk about your company<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharing a job opening on social media is the most obvious way to further your recruitment efforts. But it\u2019s by no means the only way to reach candidates.<\/p>\n Social media offers incredible opportunities for building your employer brand, which, in turn, helps generate interest in your workplace and what it has to offer.<\/p>\n Here are actual examples of how employers use a company Facebook page to \u201ctalk\u201d about the workplace.<\/p>\n Example: One company posted photos of its CEO being honored as one of the \u201cCool Women of 2015\u201d by the local chapter of Girl Scouts; the post includes a throwback photo of the CEO in her Girl Scout uniform.<\/p>\n What the post conveys: The CEO is a woman, and a cool woman besides. The company is involved in the community, and respected by the community. The company cares about young people, and is interested in developing a future workforce.<\/p>\n Example: Another company posted that it will be attending a local job fair and invited people to stop by and say hello to Denise and Nicole from human resources.<\/p>\n What the post conveys: The company will attend a local job fair \u2014 job seekers, take note. The HR department is open to inquiries. The use of first names suggests a friendly, casual workplace.<\/p>\n Example: A medical practice posted photos of its staff participating in a benefit bowl-a-thon.<\/p>\n What the post conveys: The medical practice supports the local community. Staff members get along well and socialize outside of work. Smiling, happy people suggest a positive workplace.<\/p>\n Example: Still another company\u2019s post reads, \u201cWe are hiring!!\u201d It then mentions an upcoming job fair.<\/p>\n What the post conveys: The straight-forward post with two exclamation points conveys opportunity \u2014 and multiple opportunities at that. It sounds like the business is growing. If you\u2019re a job seeker, you\u2019ll want to find out more.<\/p>\n Example: Yet another company posts photos as construction progresses on its new headquarters.<\/p>\n What the posts convey: A large, new facility says the company is growing. Growth translates to job opportunities, for current employees and those interested in joining the company. What\u2019s more, a new building means a nice, new place to work.<\/p>\n Tell your story<\/strong><\/p>\n As you can see, none of these posts broadcasts extraordinary news. Nevertheless, each update conveys positive messages that further the company\u2019s recruitment efforts.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your story? Are you sharing it on social media?<\/p>\n Paula Santonocito, a business journalist specializing in employment issues, has covered online recruitment since the early days of Web-based employment advertising and candidate sourcing.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"