8 Proven Strategies to Find Candidates like a Pro

Are you struggling to find candidates that are right for your job openings? Hiring the wrong person can be costly, so it's important to have a solid recruitment process that helps you identify candidates who are qualified and a good fit for your company

It’s no surprise that you have to go through many challenges to find job candidates who possess the right qualities. But all that can change. With the right strategies in place, it can become a streamlined process. It’s important to consider various methods for sourcing candidates to attract a diverse range of applicants with the skills and experience necessary for the position. In this article, we will explore some effective strategies for finding candidates for a job opening.

Prep Work You Need Before You Can Find Candidates

In order to find candidates for your job openings, there are several things that you need to prepare, including:

1. Job descriptions: To draw in qualified candidates, you need a job description that is specific and comprehensive. It should start with the job title, responsibilities, qualifications, skills required, and other relevant information about the position. Check out our template gallery for job descriptions that you can use immediately.
2. Recruitment plan: A well-planned recruitment strategy will help you identify the most effective channels for reaching your target candidates. Your recruitment plan should include details about the job posting, advertising, networking, and other recruitment methods.
3. Candidate profile: It is important to have a clear idea of the ideal candidate for the position, including their education, experience, skills, and personality traits. This will help you identify the most suitable candidates and make the selection process more efficient.
4. Screening criteria: Develop a set of criteria to screen candidates, including qualifications, skills, experience, and other relevant factors. This will help you quickly identify the most suitable candidates and avoid wasting time on unsuitable ones.
5. Interview questions: Prepare a list of interview questions that will help you assess the candidates' suitability for the position. Make sure that the questions are relevant and relate to the job requirements.
6. Selection criteria: Decide on the criteria that you will use to select the final candidate, such as experience, skills, personality, cultural fit, and other factors. This will help ensure that you choose the best candidate for the job.

Here are some tips on how to find candidates that qualify for your job openings:

Passive Strategies For Recruitment

Recruiting passively means you post your job openings and wait for candidates to apply, without performing any actions outside of the standard process, such as exploring new sources or contacting candidates directly.

1. Leverage Social Media Platforms to Find Job Candidates

Utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook groups, or public Slack communities to reach a larger audience and connect with potential candidates. Share your job postings on these platforms and encourage your employees to share them as well. This can help you reach a wider pool of qualified candidates and increase the chances of finding the perfect job candidates.

Check out our guide on social media recruiting for more tips on how to use social media for staffing.

2. Utilize Job Search Engines

This one is pretty basic and a must. Job search engines such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster can help you find candidates who are actively looking for job opportunities and connect. communicate with them. These platforms allow you to post your job openings and search for resumes based on specific keywords and qualifications. One very easy way to streamline posting to multiple job boards is to use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS.) An ATS like Manatal allows you to share your job openings across 2500+ channels including Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, CareerJet, JobStreet, and more.

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3. Find Job Candidates Through Employee Referrals

Encourage your employees to refer qualified candidates who they believe would be a good fit for the job openings. Employee referrals can be a great way to find candidates who are already familiar with your company's culture and values.

4. Partner with Staffing Agencies

Partnering with staffing agencies can help you connect with qualified candidates who are actively looking for job opportunities. Staffing agencies can also help you with the hiring process and ensure that you find candidates who are a good match for your job openings. They use specialized tools for the job and have the objective of successful job placements and employee retention.

LEARN MORE: Find Out Why Recruiters Need to Use Mobile-First Recruitment Strategies

LEARN MORE: Recruitment Strategies for 2023 Facing a Downturn

Active Methods of Recruitment

Recruiting actively means you source and contact candidates who match your criteria and expectations, using customized job descriptions, various platforms and channels, and a simple application process.

1. Using dedicated open Slack and Discord communities: These are online platforms where professionals can join and interact with others who share similar interests, skills, or industries. You can use these communities to find job candidates who are very good at their job and sought by many headhunters or for senior executive search. Some of the steps you can take are:

• Identify the relevant communities for your target roles, such as coding, AI, and blockchain. You can use keywords, hashtags, or filters to search for them on Slack or Discord.
• Join the communities and introduce yourself as a recruiter or headhunter. Be respectful and follow the community rules and etiquette.
• Engage with the members by posting useful content, asking questions, answering queries, and giving feedback or compliments. Build trust and rapport with them over time.
• Identify the top performers or influencers in the community who have the skills, experience, or qualifications you are looking for. You can use indicators such as their activity level, reputation score, endorsements, achievements, or projects they have shared.
• Reach out to them privately and express your interest in their profile. Explain why you think they are a good fit for your role and what benefits they can get from working with you. Invite them to have a conversation with you or apply for your role.

2. Using Linkedin’s filters and search functions: Linkedin is a social network for professionals where you can find candidates who are very good at their job and sought by many headhunters or for senior executive search. Some of the steps you can take are:

• Use LinkedIn’s advanced search function to find candidates based on criteria such as keywords, location, industry, function, title, company, education, skills, or endorsements.
• Use LinkedIn’s filters to further refine your search results based on criteria such as current or past companies, years of experience, seniority level, language, or willingness to relocate.
• Use Linkedin’s boolean operators to combine multiple criteria in your search query, such as AND, OR, NOT, (), “ ”, or -. For example, you can search for “AI AND blockchain NOT Microsoft” to find candidates who have both AI and blockchain skills but do not work for Microsoft.
• Use LinkedIn’s recruiter tools to access more features and insights, such as talent pool reports, talent insights, smart suggestions, InMail messages, or projects. These can help you find and contact more relevant and qualified candidates faster and easier.

3. Using job fairs: These are events where multiple employers and job seekers meet and interact in one place. You can use job fairs to showcase your company, attract and screen candidates, and conduct on-site interviews. Some of the steps you can take are:

• Choose the right job fair for your industry, location, and hiring needs. You can find job fairs online or through local organizations.
• Register for the job fair and pay the participation fee. You may also need to provide information about your company and your job openings to the organizers.
• Prepare your marketing material, such as banners, flyers, brochures, business cards, and giveaways. Make sure they reflect your employer's brand and value proposition.
• Set up your booth in an attractive and inviting way. Display your logo, company name, and job openings clearly. Have enough space and equipment for screening or interviewing candidates.
• Engage with the candidates who visit your booth. Introduce yourself and your company, ask them about their background and interests, collect their resumes or contact details, and invite them to apply or interview for your role.

4. Using networking events: These are events where professionals can connect and exchange information with others who share similar interests, goals, or industries. You can use networking events to build relationships with potential candidates, learn more about their skills and aspirations, and promote your company and opportunities. Some of the steps you can take are:

• Identify the relevant networking events for your target roles, such as industry-specific events, alumni events, professional associations, or online platforms. You can use keywords, hashtags, or filters to search for them on social media or websites.
• Register for the networking event and pay the attendance fee if applicable. You may also need to provide information about yourself and your company to the organizers or other attendees.
• Prepare your elevator pitch, digital business cards, and other materials that you can use to introduce yourself and your company to others. Make sure they are concise, clear, and memorable.
• Attend the networking event and mingle with the attendees. Be friendly, respectful, and genuine. Ask open-ended questions, listen actively, share relevant information, offer help or advice, and exchange contact details.
• Follow up with the contacts you made at the networking event. Send them a thank-you note, connect with them on social media or email, invite them to have a conversation with you, or apply for your role. [1]

Wrapping it Up

It’s not easy to find job candidates, especially in a competitive market. But with the right tools and strategies, you can reach out to qualified candidates who are looking for new opportunities or are open to hearing from you. By using job boards, career sites, referrals, employer branding, resume databases, networking events, and online screening tools, you can create a diverse and effective recruitment pipeline that meets your hiring needs. Remember to always communicate clearly and respectfully with your candidates and showcase your company culture and values. This way, you can attract and retain the best talent for your team. These five strategies we have listed can make the process easier and more effective.

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Citation:

1. Indeed