5 ways to use PINTEREST for RECRUITING !
Winning the talent war is a priority for every organization. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that companies get a head start in the recruiting game and capture talent using new, and sometimes unlikely, avenues.
Pinterest, currently the third most popular social network, is the perfect tool for recruiters to advertise job openings and show off their company as an employer. Just as consumer goods companies have been experimenting with advertising products on Pinterest, recruiters can adopt these principles to tap into the network’s growing community.
Pinterest also presents an opportunity to reach talent first, since headhunters have yet to make the complete transition onto this platform in the same way they have with other social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, andTwitter. Here are some tips on how you can use Pinterest to find your next hire.
1. Build a Pin Board for Each Job
Create different boards for specific departments (Finance, IT, Engineering, Design), making it easier for users to find content that appeals to them. Personalize these boards by using keywords, targeted images, and hashtags. When it makes sense, also use screen shots of job descriptions.
Finally, when building a board, always redirect candidates to a career site by providing a link to where the job is posted, and a short description of what they need to do next.
2. Pin Multimedia
Do not limit yourself by pinning only pictures. Pinterest is a multimedia channel, so take advantage of the new integration with Vimeo. You can start by using your company’s existing YouTube channel to pin videos of employees in action.
Choose industry-specific content to appeal to your desired candidate. For example, you can broadcast the company’s green efforts to attract those in the engineering field, or use corporate videos pertaining to innovation and technology to appeal to an IT crowd.
Also, pin QR codes. This will help attract candidates by providing quick access to a job application. You will find that most of the company’s marketing material can also function as employment branding material.
3. Promote Company Culture and Values
You’re looking for a quality candidate –- not just someone to fill a seat. Make culture and values evident by pinning images with personality. Looking for a candidate that cares about networking? Pin images of your team at a recent industry trade show. Do you want to attract team players? Consider adding images of a recent team-building event.
4. Use Fashion and Travel Trends
Let’s face it, the majority of Pinterest users are women who love to pin travel, apparel, and do-it-yourself projects. Use this to your advantage. A good way to do that is to provide similar content and relate it to the workplace. For example, pin a stylish interview outfit or laptop tote for work, creating a “stumble upon our jobs” upshot.
Travel is another big theme on Pinterest. Consider pinning images of the hiring locations, including nearby sites of interest, such as restaurants, sports venues, or a well-designed office. This is especially important if the area is remote and handicaps hiring efforts.
5. Connect
Recruiting shouldn’t be transactional; it’s about relationships. Pinterest doesn’t allow direct contact (yet), which makes the site more of a buzz-building mechanism than a direct-sourcing tool.
A good way around that is to redirect the conversation to networks like LinkedIn that are more suitable for direct communication. In addition, make sure interested candidates have at least one way to contact you.
Innovation is key to attracting and impressing top talent –- and innovation requires experimentation with new channels and platforms. Will you be one of the early adopters?