Even in a job market filled with numerous skilled professionals, finding the perfect candidate for your company can still feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. On top of that, there are many roles from other organizations that are similar to the one you're trying to fill. 

Consider using these eight effective strategies for hiring candidates to make your offer stand out from the rest in this competitive landscape. 

1. Improve Your Employer Brand 

One of the most effective ways to stand out from other employers is to have great employer branding. According to research published by Beamery, 69 percent of job seekers consider employer brands as the most important deciding factor of which company they want to join.¹ 

To improve employer branding, you need to actively promote the values and culture found within your organization. Take advantage of the popularity of the internet by creating social media accounts and an official website. Through well-curated posts, you can attract candidates while also informing them about your company. 

Moreover, establish that your vision and mission are directly stated in your chosen platforms. That way, you can give candidates a clear picture of how they can fit into your company and what possible career path they can take if they choose to work for you. 

2. Establish an Employee Referral Program 

Aside from being cost-efficient, an employee referral program is found to generate 70 percent more qualified professionals than traditional candidate sourcing.² Tapping into your employees’ networks allows you to widen your candidate pool while meeting skilled individuals who are already trusted by the people you regularly rely on. 

Moreover, since employee referral programs usually target passive candidates, you might have less competition for experts who fit the qualifications you're looking for. 

The best way to establish a successful referral program is to provide every important detail of its process. Clearly inform your employees starting from the qualifications of who can give referrals to what incentives can be received, to encourage them to take part in the program. 

3. Be Transparent about Open Roles 

A recruitment strategy you can utilize at the very beginning of the hiring process is to create transparent job posts about your open roles. 

This strategy includes writing compelling job descriptions that clearly inform candidates what their titles and responsibilities would be. The more accurate your description, the better chances you'll attract the right candidates for the role. 

Including an estimated salary range is also crucial to avoid wasting time and resources. Having the pay range on display can ensure that everyone you interview won't decline your offer solely because of inadequate pay. 

4. Strategically Use Sponsored Job Ads 

With similar roles posted on job boards, it's important to exert extra effort to make your open position constantly visible to the right people. This can be achieved through sponsored job advertisements. 

Instead of only finding candidates on work-focused platforms like LinkedIn or niche job boards, consider using job advertisements on other famous websites like social media platforms. Through this recruitment strategy, you could widen your pool of potential employees and attract candidates that other companies may not even reach. 

When choosing the ads, make sure all details about the role are completely stated. Try to also give a glimpse of your company culture and working environment. This can be done through the utilization of pictures, videos, and anecdotes from current employees. 

5. Improve Connections Through Networking 

One of the most effective recruitment strategies for hiring exceptional candidates is to establish your own network of experts and professionals. This way, you can use these connections when finding the right fit for your open positions. 

Consider attending industry events to build your network. For example, going to job fairs to meet candidates who are actively searching for work. You can also find passionate individuals there who may meet the skills you need within your open role. 

It’s also advisable to look beyond career expos and participate in any non-recruiting events like seminars and conferences. This can help you meet professionals and experts who can either work for you or work with you in finding the right candidate for your company. 

Read More: 9 Effective Ways to Speed Up Your Hiring Process 

6. Consider Previous Candidates 

It’s best to keep a database of past applicants that you can regularly check once a new position opens in your company. This helps you have more qualified candidates at your disposal.

You can accomplish this by having an applicant tracking system that can automatically record the names and information of every candidate who participates in your recruitment process. 

Although these previous candidates weren't chosen, there could be a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with their skills. Maybe a more qualified candidate was hired at the time or there were external factors that prevented them from joining the company. 

Regardless of the reason, considering previous applicants can be beneficial since you no longer must search high and low for candidates with a specific skill set. Moreover, these people are already familiar with your company and how you operate. The new skills and experiences they've gained over time can also be useful for them in meeting the job description, 

7. Streamline Your Hiring Process 

According to research in 2021, one of the top three reasons why candidates voluntarily exit a recruitment process is that it takes too much time to accomplish.³ 

To make your talent acquisition smoother, dedicate time and effort to reviewing and streamlining your process of hiring. Remove any unnecessary steps like filming an introductory recruitment video or answering lengthy personality exams. This will prevent them from opting out early and help your hiring managers acquire the right people faster than other companies. 

A good recruitment strategy is to simplify all steps your potential employees need to take. Moreover, maintain constant communication whether through social media or email. This is to ensure you can answer any of their questions and provide updates when needed. 

Read More: 5 Ways to Speed Up the Hiring Process 

8. Strive for Positive Candidate Experience 

One of the best recruiting strategies out there is ensuring your candidates have a positive experience with you. This helps build your reputation as a desirable company to work for which can separate you from other companies within your industry. 

Creating a good candidate experience also helps convince skilled people to choose you over any other company trying to recruit them. How can you do so? Simply treat your candidates as if they’re clients. Show them respect by not wasting their time and being hospitable whenever you communicate with them. 

Moreover, make your interview process more interactive. If you let your potential employees speak and interact with your current ones during an interview, they would be able to learn more about your company and its working environment. A more immersed experience often equates to a better overall experience. 

Read More: The 2023 Ultimate Guide to Talent Acquisition 

UPGRADE YOUR WORKFORCE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE 

Are you still struggling to fill in your open roles? With deep roots in the staffing industry, Allied OneSource can connect you to outstanding people who are the right fit for your company. Find skilled candidates with us as your partner.

Contact us today to start a conversation! 

References 

1 The Guardian. “The importance of a strong employer brand” The Guardian Jobs, May 2023, https://recruiters.theguardian.com/advice/employer-brand-importance Accessed 19 Jul. 2023. 

2 Gautier, Kate & Munasinghe, Lalith. “Build a Stringer Employee Referral Program” Harvard Business Review, 26 May 2020, https://hbr.org/2020/05/build-a-stronger-employee-referral-program Accessed 19 Jul. 2023. 

3 Grossman, Kevin. “New Research Reveals Why Candidates Are Abandoning Your Recruiting Process.” ERE Media, 23 Feb 2022, https://www.ere.net/articles/new-research-reveals-why-candidates-are-abandoning-your-recruiting-process Accessed 19 Jul. 2023.