Avoiding Common Mistakes When Recruiting on LinkedIn

Many recruiters turn to social media, with a staggering 91% using platforms for recruitment. Yet, only 18% feel they are skilled in this area. Why is that?

Think of recruiting on LinkedIn as an extension of in-person networking. When attending a job fair, you set up shop, create brochures, dress professionally, and prepare giveaways. You wait for attendees to approach you, intrigued by your offerings. Just like at a job fair, candidates are also assessing their options. Despite desperation, job seekers, including fresh graduates, conduct due diligence on potential employers.

So, how can you avoid coming on too strong, especially on platforms like LinkedIn? If your feed consists solely of job postings, it might be a turn-off, resembling someone shouting into the wind.

Many smaller HR agencies face an uphill battle. With a new LinkedIn page, your follower base may be limited, resulting in low engagement and visibility for job posts. Instead of waiting passively, consider more effective strategies to attract candidates.

What is a healthy strategy for recruiters on social media?

Successful recruitment agencies leverage the power of their networks. Your star recruiters are invaluable. A robust LinkedIn presence can significantly enhance your outreach. So, what does that entail?

How can you achieve more transparency?

Transparency is vital for building trust. Many candidates apply for a job only to find themselves lost in an automated recruitment process. This lack of communication can damage your reputation. Instead, focus on sharing updates related to your business on your personal LinkedIn profile. This can direct candidates to you while maintaining transparency about any automated steps involved. For example, if you will use automated responses, make that clear. Establishing transparency lays the groundwork for trust.

Why is it important to be human?

Demonstrating your humanity is crucial. You want candidates to see you as a partner in their job search, eager for their success. Showcase your understanding of ideal candidate profiles through your LinkedIn feed. Share experiences, thoughts, and emotions that reflect your genuine care. This connection can foster trust and relatability.

How do you showcase your expertise?

Your expertise should shine through your social media activities. As an experienced recruiter, you sift through countless CVs and conduct interviews daily. Share tips with candidates about:

• How to prepare for interviews.
• What attire to wear.
• How to present themselves effectively on paper.

You could use short videos or tip carousels, like this post, or simply write an informative article on LinkedIn. This multifaceted approach makes you appear more approachable compared to disengaged recruiters.

What is a healthy strategy for HR agencies on social media?

Recruitment agencies stand out based on their expertise, not just the quantity of job posts. Establishing trust and professionalism with candidates is paramount. So, how can agencies exemplify their expertise?

What does it mean to show your expertise?

Agencies that actively discuss topics like employee burnout and job satisfaction exhibit a profound understanding of their potential hires. LinkedIn is perfect for sharing insights on these subjects. You might share a compelling article, like this one on burnout, and spark discussions with your audience.

How can you engage with your recruiters?

A recruitment agency’s strength lies in its recruiters' networks. Rather than only posting job announcements, interact with your recruiters. Tag them in posts, or share a video celebrating successful placements. Smiling faces humanise your agency and improve brand perception. This in turn can build a more robust following and improved job post visibility, attracting better applicants.

Additionally, consider sharing your recruiters' posts from the company page. This not only boosts their content but encourages reciprocal sharing.

What constitutes a holistic strategy?

Understanding the entire lifecycle of your target audiences is crucial. How can this be achieved?

How do you cater to businesses?

Businesses seeking recruitment agencies need to be aware that:

1. They require recruitment services.
2. You provide those services.
3. You are a trustworthy entity in this field.

This insight leads to at least three distinct content streams you can generate for your LinkedIn business page. Offering value at each stage, rather than merely advertising, can significantly enhance your appeal to decision-makers.

How do you target candidates?

Candidates, whether for your own or your clients’ needs, must understand:

1. What an ideal job may look like.
2. Where to find valuable resources related to job searches (i.e. your agency).
3. That applying brings them potential benefits and assurances of a good fit.

At this stage, helpful resources, articles, videos, and infographics can prove invaluable for your LinkedIn audience. This preparation primes candidates to consider your job postings and motivate them to apply confidently.

At Willow, we help SMBs in the HR field discover the right content mix to create an effective marketing strategy for sustainable growth. Click here for a free demo with our team.

‍