Many staffing firms use sources like Monster.com and Craigslist to reach out to job searchers and potential talent because of their broad applicant pool and wide reach, but most are still in want of new and more effective ways of filling job positions. Taking advantage of the Internet as an enormous virtual source of job applicants is certainly the right mindset, but many staffing firms approach it without the know- how to develop strategy or generate leads.
These channels for outreach can be effective, but are too rarely to remain as the only online source for staffing positions. The way internet recruiting is taken to the next level of effectiveness while remaining cost –effective is by implementing a digital marketing strategy in which each online channel or venue is optimized, including social media outlets by which staffing companies can reach social networks of jobs seekers. Connecting with job seekers on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks builds the relationship between the staffing firm and the applicants in a way that encourages dialogue and building a relationship that extends past the initial job placement interaction.
According to a Marketing Profs study, 32% of B2B companies and 51% of B2C companies have a strong online and social media presence. Engaging with these companies and individuals on their terms in online communities, on social networks or through online content stimulates organic traffic and organic leads that are more valuable than those attracted through paid venues. An organic lead means an individual or a company has chosen to engage with your staffing firm online and has intentionally pursued the interaction, while a paid lead comes at a cost to your company and engenders less rapport than an organic lead.
Studies show that organic traffic tends to remain on the site they’ve found for 90 seconds to 2 minutes on average, while someone who has followed a sponsored link is most likely to bounce from the page in less than 30 seconds. The value of this lead, however, is in its cost effectiveness over time. Paid leads will continue to be expensive while organic leads will become more valuable and less expensive the longer you are established as a strong online presence.
The benefit and advantage to staffing firms comes in their ability to find and connect with the companies and job searchers they seek to join together, and social media is a quicker more direct and specific way of doing that. Pursuing these groups haphazardly or paying for an extended series of online placements can be improved upon by targeting discussion groups and gaining referrals from other network members, and complemented by adding consistent and intentional social networking. Staffing firms are measured by how quality the talent is that they place, so to find highly skilled talent that meets the needs of customers, staffing firms should look to online social sources. Expectations are that staffing firms will be, so it is imperative to showcase your firm’s services there quickly before the competitive advantage is reduced.
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