How can a direct marketing agency use Twitter as an effective recruiting tool?
The Twitter phenomenon has taken the social networking world by storm. While policy wonks, celebrities and even your own mother may be Tweeting, Twitter also has very practical applications.
Talent recruiting is a perfect example of how Twitter can simplify and amplify the recruiting process. Twitter’s no-cost model and low time commitment makes it an ideal tool for a recruiter.
Here are the steps marketing agencies can take to effectively use Twitter as a recruiting tool:
First — and maybe obviously — create a company Twitter profile so potential applicants can find you. Carefully select someone to post all open positions and to be the person behind the Tweets. Twitter’s 140 characters force you to communicate in “headlines,” so this person must be a concise but creative writer.
Next, consider holding “Twitter Twaining” for your agency’s recruiters. While many people have dabbled on Twitter, it can take time to perfect the art of Tweeting. It is helpful to share with recruiters basic tips on how to Tweet effectively” so your recruiters are not Twitter “wallflowers” nor sharing too much personal information.
You also will want to provide your recruiters with specific information like which applications to use to conduct Twitter searches and how to use Twitter’s own job search app.
Post jobs using key identifiers, such as hash marks around key words. Also, dedicate a URL to each Twitter job posting, so you can monitor the number of clickthroughs a job posting receives specifically through the Twitter channel.
Another benefit of Twitter is the ease with which people can forward, or “re-Tweet.” Encourage employees to re-Tweet job openings by offering an employee referral bonus for candidates found through Tweeting.
Although these tips will provide a solid start for any agency’s Twitter recruiting program, it is important to remember that Twitter is a social networking tool, and it’s essential to be authentic.
