Social Recruiting

How to Recruit via Facebook: A Guide for Recruiters to Find and Hire Candidates Online

How to Recruit via Facebook: A Guide for Recruiters to Find and Hire Candidates Online
HireHive Team

HireHive Team

HireHive

Despite all the new social media options available, Facebook is still a leader in online communication. It's also a perfect place for global companies to search for and find new talent. 

But with things changing so fast in the world of social media, how do recruiters use Facebook to find candidates in the most effective and efficient way? Here are several things you should know and ideas to get started.

Facebook for Recruitment 

Your company can use Facebook to reach out to potential employees in your community or around the world in several ways. Most of the time, you won't need to start from scratch as your organization may already have an online presence, but you will want to enhance your processes to maximize the platform. Strategies include: 

  • Creating and cultivating an online community
  • Developing a good employment brand
  • Sharing dynamic content to encourage interaction
  • Posting and sharing job openings 

Here's how to get started. 

Create a Professional Facebook Page

If you don't already have one, create a dedicated Facebook page for your company or organisation. Ensure the page represents your brand professionally and includes relevant information about your company, its values, and the positions you want to fill.

  • Set up the page and assign administrators who will manage the content
  • Customise the page information 
  • Create and post engaging content 

Build a Targeted Audience

Identify your target audience based on the roles you're hiring for. Use Facebook's targeting options to reach people who match your ideal candidate profile. You can target based on location, interests, education, job titles, and more. This will help ensure that your job postings reach the right people.

Craft Compelling Job Posts

Create engaging and detailed job posts that clearly outline the job requirements, responsibilities, and benefits. Use eye-catching visuals, such as high-quality images or videos, to make your posts stand out. Highlight what makes your company an attractive workplace and why candidates should consider applying.

Clear and Engaging Title:

  • Craft a concise and attention-grabbing job title that represents the position.
  • Use descriptive language to highlight the critical aspects of the role and make it compelling.
  • Incorporate relevant keywords that candidates might use when searching for similar positions.

Showcase Company Culture and Benefits:

  • Provide a brief overview of the company culture and values to give candidates a sense of working there.
  • Highlight the unique benefits and perks, such as flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, or a positive work environment.
  • Include any awards or recognition the company has received to enhance its credibility.

Visual Content and Call-to-Action:

  • Include eye-catching visuals, such as images or videos, which showcase the workplace and team to make the post more appealing.
  • Use a clear call-to-action to encourage candidates to take the next steps, such as "Apply Now," "Learn More," or "Send Your Resume."
  • If applicable, provide a link to the company's careers page or job application portal for easy access.

Boost Job Posts

To increase the visibility of your job posts, consider boosting them as paid advertisements. Facebook's ad targeting options allow you to reach a larger audience beyond your page followers. Set a budget and choose targeting criteria that align with your ideal candidates. Monitor the performance of your boosted posts and adjust the settings as needed.

Utilise Facebook Groups

Join relevant industry-specific Facebook groups where professionals in your field will likely be members. Engage with the community by participating in discussions and providing value. Some groups may have specific job posting rules, so make sure to follow them. When appropriate, share your job openings with these groups to reach a highly targeted audience.

  • Industry-Specific Groups: Join Facebook groups focusing on a particular industry or profession. For example:
    • IT Professionals Network - Job Opportunities
    • Marketing and Advertising Jobs Network
    • Healthcare Career Opportunities and Networking
  • Local Job Boards and Community Groups: Look for groups specific to your company's location or where you want to hire. These groups often attract local candidates.
    • Work in Dublin
    • Work in Paris, France – Job Fair
  • Alumni and University Job Groups: Many universities and colleges have Facebook groups where alumni and current students share job opportunities.
    • TU Dublin Alumni Network
    • Oxford Alumni
    • Harvard Business School Career Services
  • Niche Professional Groups: Find groups that cater to a specific niche or profession related to the job you're hiring for.
    • UX Designers and Researchers Job Board
    • Data Science Career Opportunities

Leverage Facebook Events

If your company is hosting job fairs, career workshops, or other recruiting events, create Facebook Events to promote them. Include all the event details, such as date, time, location, and a description of what attendees can expect. Encourage people to RSVP and share the event with their networks.

Engage with Candidates

Actively monitor your Facebook page and respond promptly to inquiries or comments on your job posts. Engaging with candidates shows you're attentive and interested in their questions or concerns. Promptly address questions about the job, application process, or company culture.

Use Facebook Messenger

Enable Facebook Messenger on your page to allow candidates to contact you directly. Use Messenger to answer questions, schedule interviews, and provide updates on the hiring process. Prompt and personalised responses can help create a positive candidate experience.

Analyse and Optimise

Regularly review the performance of your Facebook recruiting efforts. Use Facebook's built-in analytics tools or third-party tools to track metrics such as reach, engagement, and click-through rates. Analyse the data to understand what works well and what can be improved. Adjust your recruitment strategy accordingly.

Maintain a Strong Employer Brand

Remember that Facebook is a public platform, and your interactions with candidates can influence your company's reputation. Maintain a positive and professional online presence by sharing relevant industry news, employee testimonials, and showcasing your company's culture and values.

  1. Consistent and Authentic Content:
  • Share engaging and authentic content showcasing your company culture, values, and employee experiences. Use photos, videos, and stories to give candidates a glimpse into what it's like to work at your organisation.
  • Ensure consistency in the tone and messaging across all posts. This will help reinforce your employer brand and make your company's personality recognisable to potential candidates.
  • Highlight employee achievements, milestones, and success stories to demonstrate the positive impact of working with your organization.
  1. Active Engagement and Responsiveness:
  • Respond proactively to comments, messages, and inquiries from potential candidates. Timely and personalized responses show that you value candidate interactions and care about their interests.
  • Encourage employee advocacy by involving your team in interactions with the page. Employees engaging positively with your content enhances your employer brand and extends its reach to their networks.
  • Address any negative feedback or reviews professionally and constructively. Demonstrate a commitment to resolving issues and improving your organization.
  1. Utilise Targeted Advertising and Job Posts:
  • Leverage Facebook's targeted advertising features to reach your desired candidate audience. Use demographics, interests, and job-related keywords to tailor your content to the right people.
  • Create compelling job posts that clearly outline the job's benefits, opportunities for growth, and company culture. Use visuals and CTAs to drive candidates to your website or application portal.
  • Consider boosting job posts to reach a broader audience or using Facebook job ads to target potential candidates based on their preferences and qualifications.

Integrate Your ATS with Social Media 

The best part about living in the future is all the access to technology that can make our lives easier. That's just as true for recruiting. A comprehensive software package like HireHive can allow you to integrate your social media directly into your systems. It makes it easier to push posts and messages out to your network. 

You don't have to go it alone. Investing in the right software gives you the structure and framework to manage talent and what you have to offer. Using a system to help you track and hire top talent is the first step in the process. 

With more competition for top talent, it pays for companies to consider all their advantages and the use of tools to assist in the quest to find talent. HireHive helps busy people hire great people. You can post jobs, streamline your online application process, improve the candidate experience, and tap into vast global networks by having your entire recruitment process in one place.

Set up a free trial account today. Contact HireHive to learn more.

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