SOCIAL MEDIA STATEGY FOR JOB BOARDS

SOCIAL MEDIA AND JOB SEEKERS:

Social media isn't just for teenagers and Kim Kardashian, its fast becoming a major player in a business' overall marketing strategy. It's where people dwell and is now the first language of the next generation of customers, employees and job seekers.

So how do job boards and social media play together? Social media will never replace the job board, it will enhance it. Job seekers may go to social media for information regarding the company or it may be the place they see the job posting but chances are the job board is where they go to apply.

As the job market begins to tighten it becomes more important to target passive job candidates along with active job hunters. Over 70% of the US labor market is actively looking for a job or open to a new job. With such a large market to attract, it is more important than ever for companies to market themselves on social media. And on the flip side 21% of job seekers have found their favorite or best job through a social media and 20% have found it through online job board.

Let's talk quality of applicants. Recruiters rate referrals as the highest quality source of hires:

64% referrals

59% social networks

59% Corporate career site

Social job seekers are younger, wealthier, more highly educated and more likely to be employed full-time.

Recruiters (93%) and companies alike are looking at a candidate’s social profile and 42% have reconsidered a candidate based on content on the social profile.

So how do you use Social Media in the Job Board space?

Since we established social media isn't going away soon, how do we use social media and gain traction to help our efforts on our job board?

Consistency of brand.

Colors, logo and theme should be consistent across all platforms. The messaging should be different for each of the social media streams but a job seeker should be able to recognize the company whether it is a Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Different messaging.

Twitter is all about disseminating quick bursts of information. With only 140 characters, the message must be short and impactful. Facebook is about creating a relationship through conversation and LinkedIn is about educating and professional connecting.

VIDEO, VIDEO, VIDEO.

In 2014 everyone was talking about mobile. In 2015 everyone WILL talking about video rich content more than ever before. Whether it is branding your company or posting a job, there will be more video than ever next year.

Speak to your audience socially.

Knowing your audience is the first step in developing a social marketing strategy. Communicating to that audience through social media should be different than other communication. It should be lighter, more entertaining and fun. Remember this is a selling opportunity to show your potential employees your culture.

Add links and # to everything!

Think of your social communication as a TV commercial. A viewer shouldn't have to guess what you’re trying to sell or where to go for more information. Make it easy and hashtag it with a simple description on what you are trying to sell...#bestjobever, #whereengineershavefun

Don't forget the fun! I can't say this enough.

Social is about being the prettiest girl at the dance. There is a lot of competition out there and to stand out in the crowd, keep them coming back to your page, it has to have value and be entertaining.

Measure the results.

Stay on top of what's working and what's not. Social is a fast paced world and you must be nimble enough to change and capitalize on what IS working.

Respond and Ask.

Quick response is the easiest way to build a relationship with potential job seekers. Also asking for a referral is a way to build commitment and trust within your own community. Building integrity is a good way of getting your audience to share with their community.

Be a leader.

It's the ASME Job Board AND Career Center. The place where Engineers go for career advice.... use social to show them value and redirect job seekers to your website.

Advertise.

With all the changes happening within the next six months, it will be harder for you to stand out. Advertising on social media will become a necessity rather than a luxury.

No one likes an old maid.

Stale, old, boring content is the sure way for your employees and potential employees to break up with you. Make sure you are on top of your content and the posting is timely.

Hype

Social media is the best place for referrals and company branding. Ask your current community to post and refer friends and family.

Google+/What's next?

Be the first to play in new spaces.