Facebook is now the most visited place on the web, outpacing Google late last year. As candidates spend more time on the world’s most popular social networking site, it makes sense that recruiters would use Facebook for hiring and recruitment. As part of our Erecruiting series here at SmartRecruiters, I’m focusing on differently recruiting and sourcing methods across the internet.
Because Facebook is a relatively closed network it can make direct sourcing a challenge. Depending on the users security settings, visitors are allowed certain access making sourcing on this platform somewhat difficult. Even still, there are ways to grow your candidate pool, source, and fill positions using Facebook.
- Search External Facebook Networks. Sites like Pipl, Spokeo, and Wink offer some external sourcing features. As I mentioned before, Facebook is not easy for external search. YourOpenBook.org is my Facebook keyword search tool. It allows you to search directly for status updates and wall posts. While it doesn’t allow for location search, it is one of the best external search options.
- Create a Community. One of the most powerful ways to promote your job openings and career opportunities is through owning and managing a group or community network. Much like LinkedIn Groups, a Facebook group is a great option to provide value, content, and information about an industry or area where you are looking to fill positions regularly over a period of time. Create a community that is location based, industry focused, or a specific position. Make the group value based with little self-promotion. By having a successful group you own the keys to the kingdom continuing to build your pipeline.
- Post Your Job Opportunity. For me, the Facebook Marketplace has always been a great option to find candidates. It’s no cost marketing that is searchable and when an opening is posted, it alerts your network via email.
- Post Job Openings on Facebook Fan Pages. Another great way to alert your network about openings is through your Facebook Fan or Business Page. A RSS feed of your job postings can be established and adding relatively easy to your page or you can post the links directly to your wall. Either way visitors to your page can find and apply for a job opportunity that works for them.
- Facebook Referrals. Referrals have always been a solid source of candidates for me through both either through internal referrals and external contacts. If your company allows employee access to Facebook, encourage them as well as your own close colleagues and friends to repost certain job openings to their network. Sometimes this can be accomplished with a simple Facebook email directly from your personal account. Sit back and let the job candidates virally coming to you.
Learn more about the Smartrecruiters Erecuriting series by visiting other articles:
Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is a HR consultant, new media strategist, and author who writes at Blogging4Jobs. Jessica is the host of Job Search Secrets, an internet television show for job seekers.
Photo Credit Lighthouseinsights.
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