In this article, we’ll look at some unique ways to source great talent in your area and industry, and provide tips on how to make the hiring process work for your business.

Host a Virtual Job Fair
Make it easy for potential hires to find you by hosting a virtual job fair. Doing so not only helps you expand your reach, but it also puts you in a position to easily capture attendees’ information so you can follow up with those who might be a good fit for the roles you’re hiring for.

Virtual job fairs have become more common since the pandemic began, and employers have realized the benefits over holding traditional job fairs. In fact, a recent study shows that 59% of employers are adopting or increasing digital engagement, including virtual events.

In order to run a successful virtual job fair, here are some recommendations to consider:

Define a clear strategy of what success looks like. Set targets for the number of attendees, number of qualified applicants, etc.
Decide on a budget for promoting the job fair to put it in front of the right people.
Work out the details of the technical setup, specifically the processes, tools and people necessary for the job fair to run smoothly.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Social media is the most powerful branding platform for your business, not just to create a unique brand identity and voice, but also to reach out to potential employees who share your vision and values. Many companies also communicate with customers through social media, where they often manage complaint resolution and answer questions about new products.

When used properly, your social media accounts can tell the story of your business and express your company values. The people who like and follow your business on social media may naturally be a good fit for your company culture. According to LinkedIn, 49% of professionals are following companies on social media with the intent to stay aware of their jobs. Therefore, posting job opportunities on your social media accounts is a great way to source talent; even if your followers don’t apply for the job themselves, they can forward the post to friends who might be interested. Plus, potential hires can look at your photos and videos to get a sense for what working at the company is like.

Read about other ways to use social media in our BBB Business Tip: 5 easy ways to use social media to help your small business.

Harness the Power of Video
A recruitment video is a great way to show applicants what it's like to work at your company. CareerBuilder found that job postings with videos have a 34% greater application rate. Interviewing should be a two-way street, where applicants both share their skillset with their potential employers and also examine the company culture to make sure it's an environment in which they can succeed. Creating a recruitment video is a great way to provide applicants with more information about the job, including where they'll be working and some of the responsibilities they will have in the position.

If you choose to make a recruitment video, however, invest in a professional videographer to shoot it, and if you're unsure about your script writing abilities, hire a professional writer. This is the first impression that your business will make on new hires, and you want to set positive expectations.

More importantly, make sure that your company culture is integrated throughout the video. This will give candidates a clear idea of what you bring to the table and why they should apply to be a part of your mission.

Read other ways that businesses can use video.

Create an Employee Referral Program
Your current employees may be your best resource for finding future employees. Research from ERIN shows that 45% of employees sourced from employee referrals stay for longer than 4 years. Therefore, consider implementing an employee referral program, where your staff can recommend job candidates and receive a small bonus if they are hired. There are a few ways to do this, but the model that many businesses follow is paying part of the bonus upon the new hire's acceptance, and the remaining balance once the new hire completes their first 90 days.

One caveat with this approach is to take an honest assessment of your current roster of employees. If you're going through a restructuring of your business, and especially if you're revising your company culture, then you may wish to hold off on asking employees for referrals.

Takeaway
Finding the top talent for your business is important, but with a little creativity, you may surprise yourself. Thinking outside of the proverbial box when looking for new employees can lead you to a previously untapped talent pool and help you grow your business. Before implementing these strategies, make sure that your presentations are professional and that your contact information is readily available so applicants know where to send their resumes. Remember that your job recruiting process is part of your branding, so make sure your hiring materials reflect your company values and set a good impression.

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