If the resumes you’re getting during a job search don’t reflect either the quality or skills you were hoping to see, it may be a sign you need to tap the passive job seeker pool. People who are looking for jobs actively are active job seekers. People who are not looking, but would be interested if the opportunity was right, are known as passive job seekers. Roughly three-quarters of all employees are passive job seekers at any given time.
Passive job seekers can be top-quality candidates, because they are valued enough by employers to have steady employment. They can also be potential long-term employees at your company, since they may like established patterns of work and job security.
Many people who are not actively looking may be very receptive to a new position if they are approached about it. It’s not a cinch to reach them, however, just because they’re not in the market in the way active job seekers are. But you can develop strategies to draw passive job seekers into your hiring process. Use the following three tips.
Target Potential Candidates on LinkedIn
If the market – or at least the segment you want to see – isn’t coming to you, you need to go to the market. LinkedIn is a huge and vital source of leads for the hiring process. If you are searching to fill a particular job title, for example, you can search that and related titles in your area to find people currently filling similar positions. If they are currently performing roles similar to those you are looking for, they likely have the skills and qualifications you are looking for. They may also know other people with a similar background.
It’s perfectly acceptable to reach out via LinkedIn and ask if they are interested in discussing a new position. It’s a great way to grow your network of potential candidates.
Create an Employee Referral System
If your company currently doesn’t have an employee referral system, it’s a good idea to create one, for several reasons. First, cultural fit is a very important part of employee success at any job. Friends and relatives of current employees have a higher probability of attaining cultural fit – they already fit with at least some of your employees!
Second, they will likely be good team members, because they already know and are comfortable with some employees. Teamwork can be integral to productivity and smooth functioning.
Publicize Your Company
Passive job seekers are unlikely to seek your company at all, but they are even less likely to do so if your company’s achievements, initiatives and culture are somewhat hidden from them. Even if you reach out, they may not exhibit much enthusiasm if they don’t know anything about your company.
Build a dynamic website for the company that showcases what it does, who the leaders are, and what products and initiatives it produces or is developing. Display news items and planned events, if relevant.
It’s also a great idea to showcase news on social media channels like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and more (and don’t forget LinkedIn as a social media channel!). Many people get news from social media, so a positive social presence can help your company’s visibility with passive job seekers.
Let Us Fill Your Hiring Needs
Recruiting both passive and active job seekers can be difficult, especially when the unemployment rate is at record–low levels. At Expert Staffing, we are proud to provide the industry’s most comprehensive recruitment strategies. To find out how to use our services to connect with outstanding candidates in your industry, contact a consultant today.
