Recruitment advise

[TheFirstRuleOfFightClub]

Posted here for traffic.

I work in an organisation that is run by dinosaurs. We were discussing why our last recruitment drive was shambolic and one post advertised didn't get any applications. I suggested that it all needed an overhaul and that I would look at other ways to advertise. They're not keen but said they'd look at what I came up with.

What has worked for you? Where do you get good responses from? So far they have used the local paper and their website! We would be after casual and permanent workers, it is a job in the care/health sector. We have a college near by that I will approach and I am going to look at different job websites. They need dragging into 2019.

The local paper and their website? That is unbelievable.

Depending on the skill set the obvious options are LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed and any successful local job board. Then you have the likes of totaljobs.com

Advertising on any of these, particularly Indeed, will result on people who even google search for that kind of job getting it coming up in their searches.

You need to build a relationship with the college. Do they do health and social care courses? Do you offer any NVQ's or other training? By going in to the college regularly, given talks or practical demonstrations, students will feel good about your company and any development opportunities. Also ask to take part in any recruitment fairs they do.

Have you looked at Apprenticeships? Another company will oversea the study element, you offer the work based training. The other company take care of advertising and recruiting. Check with HR or finance about how much it costs.

I'm assuming these are entry level roles with little or no experience required. You could try advertising with the job centre but you do unfortunately get some people turn up who don't actually want the job, but they've been made to apply. A well structured interview will help you to sift those out.

Do they offer any benefits that are attractive worth bragging about in an advert? If not, think about what could be implemented at low or no cost. An extra days holiday for your birthday. Term time only contracts?

Great, thanks. Yes these are the websites I was thinking and this is what I was going to do with the college as they do have a health and social care department. Thanks for your advise.

We advertise on LinkedIn and also indeed is free to advertise on and generates a fair few worthwhile candidates

Local Facebook groups are perfect

Indeed website might be worth a try. If you just do CV applications, you'll likely have to sift through a lot of dross applications, but I've always managed to pull out a handful of applicants who are worth interviewing. Lots of students seem to use Indeed to search for jobs as well. I normally post a link to the application form I want people to complete. You can't post active links on the free package but I ask people to copy and paste into the browser. It serves as an added level of sifting out the genuinely interested candidates. You can also advertise via the basic package for free, so can't really complain!

What job roles?

The last recruitment drive I was involved in:- I done all the recruitment notices and choose where to advertise etc. We had over 90 applicants in the first 24 hours. Shortlisted and interview 45, and employed 22.

I use a multi job posting board, £225 (I think) per advert but goes on 20 ish boards.
I use CV databases as well.
Given that there are lots of care roles and not enough people, you really have to think about what sets your roles apart - do you offer over statuary benefits, can you accommodate flexible work patterns etc

I'm in HR specifically recruitment focused .

Want me to look at the job advert ? Happy to advise

-many companies post a job description not an advert

• not posted in the right location - I'd go industry specific press and indeed and LinkedIn if possible
• lack of keywords as not to appear in search

Also depending on the role, I have far more success with directly reaching out to potential candidates than spray and pray approach .

All else fails get a decent agency recruiter on the case

Also free indeed ads don't get you many views - paid is better .

You can proactively look for CVs on indeed too and other CV boards.

As mentioned above I'd look to build solid relationships with the college , perhaps go in and do a talk etc so you maintain a solid pipeline of interested people for these roles and the future .

Do you have an actual recruiter?
What's the interview process?
Do you have an applicant tracking system to look at past applicants you didn't need / applied late / just missed the mark?

Thank you again for your replies, really helpful. Someone in HR writes the adverts, they are good, but thank you for the offer, that's very kind of you.

HR usually do the recruiting but it's not working for us, I'm having a meeting with them next month to put some ideas down. Thanks again everyone.

Do you have any local community groups or organisations that help their clients search for work because it would be worth speaking to them as well.

If the local college has a suitable course, don't hesitate to speak to them as well! That would be ideal. If the work is suitable for students and you have a University nearby they may have a service that advertises to students looking for work (the college may have something similar as well).

Your local jobcentre may help.with sourcing people or running a sector based work academy