Given that we are in the middle of a pandemic, businesses the world over have had to adjust the way that they do things to be able to continue to win business. Business development is tricky enough, but in a pandemic situation, it can feel impossible. Recruitment agencies have closed their doors, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not working. There are some things that recruitment agencies need to do to win business, and innovation is key!
Finding the best candidates is tough, but in a pandemic, lots of people will be looking for work. All you have to do is reach out in new ways to be able to win clients in the market we are in today. It takes time to win candidates, and yet we are in the middle of a digital revolution right now and there are more ways to gain business than ever before.
While it can be challenging to figure out which recruitment method will work for your business, there are opportunities out there right now that can work for your business. Below, we’ve put together three tips for your staffing agency to win more business in the market today. These may be ones you already are using – which will be great – but then you may not just yet and will find inspiration going forward. So, let’s dive in:
Texting
Texting doesn’t sound like an innovative solution for winning business, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t! If you consider the people you are targeting, you should think about how many have smartphones – or cell phones in general! The response rate for text messages is high compared to phone calls, with 98% of messages at least being read. Texting is a good way to check in with your current candidates to know where they are with their journey to employment. It’s also a great way to schedule and remind people of any interviews and assessments, and you can engage with your potential applicants throughout the recruitment process.
A text message is also a preferred method of contact for those who cannot access phone calls in the office. It’s an old-school method that can be brought back right now, and it’s going to make a huge difference to your candidates and the way that they experience your business.
Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – you name it, people tend to have it! If your business is not using social media as part of your recruitment, you’re already missing out. In the midst of a pandemic, people are relying more than ever on social media. It’s time to get started with bringing your recruitment process to social media. You can pay for advertising, set up job adverts, and contact candidates directly (with their permission!) via social media.
Did you know that over 85% of candidates use social channels to seek work? You could be capitalizing on that and engaging your audience this way. Recruiting online requires you to know your audience and where to find them. If you are aiming to hire the younger generation of new graduates, you can also join social media groups that they may be involved in to target them directly.
Virtual Reality
Okay, so this may be a new one but it’s one of the ways you can innovate your recruitment. You can utilize virtual reality experiences in your recruitment process to show off a little to candidates. It allows them to feel attracted to your business as an innovative place to find work. It can be anything from a virtual tour of your office where they will be able to have someone working for them directly, to using VR headsets to offer a sense of realism to their job interview experience.
If your recruitment agency offers interview training, this could be an excellent tool for your candidates.
