The Changing Landscape of Recruitment: The Rising Role of Social Media

Connecting with new and prospective employees is becoming much easier for businesses, especially when employers utilise social media to build those connections. While social media recruiting might initially seem daunting, the effort is worthwhile due to the significant results it can yield. By incorporating social media into your recruitment strategy alongside job boards and utilising 26 Recruitment as your premier agency partner, you'll greatly expand your talent pool. Additionally, social media allows you to showcase your brand, fostering increased business and customer loyalty.

Not long ago, social media was primarily used for reconnecting with old friends, staying updated with the news, and discussing social issues. It has swiftly evolved into an all-encompassing destination for both formal and informal information gathering, including job recruiting and advertising. According to Statista, an astounding 5.44 billion people worldwide are active social media users. Therefore, it is highly likely that the majority of individuals living near your business are also engaged on social media platforms. 

Seize the opportunity to connect with passive candidates on every social media platform available. The distinctions between services have blurred significantly, and LinkedIn is no longer the only professional social network. Today's businesses are finding success by implementing diverse strategies to capture attention across platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and more. By tailoring optimised content to these varied audiences, you'll find that using social media for recruitment is a substantial net positive. By diversifying your social media recruitment strategies and creating content that resonates with each platform's unique audience, you can significantly enhance your talent pool. 

Developing a Strong Employer Brand on Social Media Networks

Imagine yourself as an average social media user. The first time you see a company's posts online, it plants a metaphorical seed. Continuous exposure to the company's brand through further social media interactions, other advertising efforts, or even in-person visits strengthens efforts made on these platforms. The ultimate result is an improved brand perception that attracts desirable candidates. Remember, where a prospective employee ends up after viewing an ad or post on social media is just as important as the initial impression. Engage candidates at the start of their journey by clearly presenting centralised information about your company, open roles, workplace culture, and organisational values. Showcase employee testimonials to provide a genuine glimpse into your organisation.

Branding is your chance to elevate your company's image as an employer. Highlight what makes your brand appealing from an employment perspective, and those who encounter your social media content will develop a newfound appreciation for your company. Above all, ensure your branding efforts are consistent across your website and social media platforms to effectively demonstrate what it's like to work at your business. Highlighting employee testimonials that detail what it's like to work for your business is particularly effective. By providing this inside look at daily working conditions, you'll persuade job-seekers that your company is a rewarding place to work.

Maintain a steady stream of content on social media platforms, and you'll gradually attract hardworking passive candidates. These individuals may not actively seek out your company but are influenced by the information that appears in their social media feeds. Engaging talented passive candidates is a significant competitive advantage, as many of them have extensive experience and only need a little encouragement to consider new opportunities.

Creating Compelling Content for Recruitment

The challenge is creating content that leaves a lasting impression on viewers and resonates with those in the hospitality industry. To engage this audience effectively, use content as a storytelling tool. This involves more than simply listing job benefits or company achievements. Instead, focus on crafting narratives that provide a genuine glimpse into what it’s like to be part of your team. Here are some elements to consider to enhance the appeal and effectiveness of your content:

Employee Testimonials and Success Stories: Share authentic stories from current employees, detailing their journey within the company. Point out their achievements, the challenges they've overcome, and how the company has supported their career growth. This personifies your brand and makes it more relatable.

Day-in-the-Life Features: Develop content that highlights a typical day for various roles within your organisation. This approach not only informs potential candidates about job responsibilities but also provides them with a glimpse into the company culture and work environment.

Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses: Provide insights into the less visible aspects of your business. Showcase how your team manages peak seasons, prepares for major events, or maintains high service standards. This content highlights your team's skill, dedication, and the camaraderie that drives their success.

Interactive and Multimedia Content: Use videos and infographics to captivate potential recruits, aligning your strategy with content that performs best on image- or video-focused platforms. Videos of team events, employee interviews, and virtual tours of the workplace can be especially effective.

Addressing Industry Challenges: Recognise the unique challenges of the hospitality industry and share how your company is tackling them. Highlight initiatives for work-life balance, managing high-stress situations, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Connecting with Passive Candidates

The average social media user casually scrolls through the platform, seeking interesting bites of information, entertainment, and news. Consequently, these passive candidates are less likely to respond to overt ads and attention-seeking demands, especially from accounts that appear corporate and sponsored. Understand that social media users are generally passive candidates, and tailor your content to engage them effectively. Highlight what makes your company an attractive place to work. Include links to informative blog posts in your social media updates. Share industry news and local updates, making it clear that your company is hiring.