Many businesses are using social media to recruit for open positions. While you’ve probably heard of this social recruiting, it might not be something you’re implementing, just yet. However, there are great advantages to using Instagram for your hiring needs.
As job seekers work to find a new career, they’re not only searching for new opportunities but also finding a company that suits their personality and lifestyle.
That’s where social media comes into play with recruiting efforts. Prospective applicants can see the company’s brand. They’re able to read a story via Instagram photos and know that the place they’re applying to is a good fit.
In turn, companies are also able to use Instagram to see potential candidates’ lives, as well.
Below, you’ll find several tips that will help you incorporate Instagram recruiting into your overall hiring process. These ideas will help you use the site to your advantage!
The most suitable industries for Instagram recruitment
Instagram recruitment can be particularly effective for industries where visual content plays a significant role and where the target audience is active on the platform. Some of these industries include:
- Creative industries: Instagram is an excellent platform for recruiting talent in fields such as graphic design, photography, videography, fashion, and advertising. Professionals in these industries often showcase their portfolios and projects on Instagram, making it easier for recruiters to find and evaluate their work.
- Technology and startups: Many tech companies and startups have a strong presence on Instagram to showcase their company culture, innovations, and team dynamics. Instagram can be a valuable tool to attract young, tech-savvy talent interested in working in dynamic and innovative environments.
- Hospitality and tourism: Instagram is widely used by hotels, restaurants, bars, and travel companies to showcase their services, locations, and experiences. Recruiting on Instagram for these industries can help attract candidates passionate about travel, food, and customer service.
- Health and fitness: Professionals in the health and fitness industry, including personal trainers, nutritionists, and yoga instructors, often use Instagram to share their expertise, workouts, and healthy lifestyle tips. Instagram can be a great platform to find and connect with candidates passionate about wellness and fitness.
- Beauty and cosmetics: Instagram is a popular platform for beauty professionals, makeup artists, hairstylists, and skincare specialists to showcase their skills and creativity. Recruiters can use Instagram to find talent in this industry and evaluate their work through their portfolios and content.
Event management and entertainment: Instagram is widely used by event planners, musicians, performers, and other entertainment professionals to promote their work and connect with their audience. Recruiters can use Instagram to identify talent in these industries and evaluate their skills and creativity.
While Instagram recruitment can be particularly effective for these industries, it’s essential to remember that the platform can still be used to find talent in other sectors as well. The key is to adapt your recruitment strategy to the specific industry and audience you’re targeting.
Step #0: Competitor and industry research
Conducting competitor and industry research helps you to identify potential candidates, stay updated on industry trends, and gather ideas for your own recruitment efforts.
Here’s the most effective step-by-step guide to help you with competitor and industry research on Instagram:
- Identify your competitors and key industry players: Start by making a list of rival companies, industry associations, thought leaders, or influencers in your field.
- Search and follow relevant accounts: Use Instagram’s search feature to find the accounts of the companies and individuals you’ve listed. Follow these accounts to stay updated on their activities and the content they share.
- Analyze their content: Review the content shared by these accounts to understand the type of posts that generate the most engagement (likes, comments, and shares). Pay attention to the hashtags they use, the visual styles they employ, and the tone of their captions. This can give you insights into best practices for your own recruitment efforts and help you create more engaging content.
- Monitor engagement: Observe how users interact with their content. Take note of users who frequently engage (like, comment, or share), as these individuals may be passionate about the industry and could be potential candidates for your organization.
- Explore industry-related hashtags: Identify popular hashtags related to your industry or specific job roles, and use them to discover content from professionals in your field. For example, if you’re in the marketing industry, you could search for hashtags such as #digitalmarketing, #marketingstrategy, or #contentmarketing.
- Identify potential candidates: As you review content and engagement, keep an eye out for individuals who showcase their skills, work experiences, or projects related to your industry. These users may be potential candidates you could reach out to for job opportunities.
- Create lists: Organize the profiles you discover into lists or collections for future reference. You can use third-party tools like Planoly, Later, or Trello to keep track of interesting profiles, content, or ideas you gather during your research.
- Engage with potential candidates: As you come across potential candidates, engage with their content by liking, commenting, or sharing their posts. This helps build relationships and increases the chances of a positive response when you eventually reach out to them about job opportunities.
- Stay updated on industry trends: Regularly review the content shared to stay informed about the latest trends, news, and developments in your field. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and adapt your recruitment strategies accordingly.
Step #1: Enhance your employer brand by showcasing company culture in a fun and appealing way
To add some extra oomph to your employer brand, use Instagram as a platform to showcase company culture.
By sharing behind-the-scenes photos and videos, you can give potential candidates a taste of what it’s like to work at your organization.
Plus, since Instagram is a visual platform, you can really get creative with your content and make it fun and engaging.
Step #2: Use hashtags to reach a wider audience
When it comes to recruiting on Instagram, hashtags are your best friend. By using relevant hashtags, you can reach a wider audience of potential candidates.
For example, if you’re looking for software engineers, you can search for the hashtag #softwareengineer or #softwareengineering.
Step #3: Utilize the power of Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories is a feature of the popular photo sharing option that allows users to share photos and videos. The stories are temporary and disappear after 24 hours.
Instagram Stories can be a great way to attract Gen Z talent. Use compelling visuals and creative content to tell your story and showcase your company culture. Be sure to use hashtags and make your stories discoverable.
Step #4: Don’t forget about Reels
In addition to Stories, Instagram also offers Reels, a short-form video feature. Reels are perfect for quick, attention-grabbing content. Use them to highlight your company culture or to show off your products and services. Just like with Stories, be sure to use hashtags and make your Reels discoverable.
Both Stories and Reels are great ways to reach Gen Z talent. Use them to your advantage!
Step #5: Use Instagram Ads to reach a wider audience
If you want to reach an even wider audience of potential candidates, you can use Instagram Ads. With Ads, you can target your ads to a specific audience based on interests, demographics, or behaviors.
This is a great way to ensure that your ad reaches the right people who are likely to be interested in your open positions.
Step #6: Connect with influencers in your industry
Another great way to reach potential candidates on Instagram is to connect with influencers in your industry. These influencers typically have a large following of engaged users who are interested in the same topics.
For example, if you’re looking for candidates in the fashion industry, you can connect with popular fashion bloggers or influencers.
Many of these influencers often share job openings on their account, so you may be able to reach a larger pool of candidates.
Step #7: Encourage your employees to share their stories on Instagram too
Your employees can be your best brand ambassadors. Encourage them to share their stories on Instagram. This will help you reach even more Gen Z talent.
Putting the face of employees online will humanize your brand and make it more memorable.
Step #8: Be active and consistent
To really attract top talent, you need to be active and consistent on Instagram.
This means posting new content regularly and engaging with your followers.
The more you can get your company name and brand out there, the better.
Example: Companies that are nailing their Instagram recruitment strategies
#1 HubSpot
Instagram handle: @hubspotlife
Why they’re nailing it:
- Company culture showcase: HubSpot uses their Instagram account to provide a glimpse into their company culture by sharing behind-the-scenes moments, employee testimonials, and team-building activities. This helps potential candidates envision themselves working at HubSpot and makes the company more relatable and attractive as an employer.
- Employee-generated content: HubSpot encourages employees to share their experiences using the hashtag #hubspotlife, which they then repost on their account. This user-generated content adds authenticity and showcases diverse perspectives on what it’s like to work at the company.
- Consistent branding: HubSpot maintains a consistent visual style and tone throughout their Instagram posts, reinforcing their brand identity and making their content easily recognizable.
#2 Airbnb
Instagram handle: @airbnb
Why they’re nailing it:
- Storytelling through visuals: Airbnb’s Instagram account tells a compelling story through beautiful and engaging visuals, showcasing the unique experiences their platform offers. This approach makes the company more attractive to potential candidates who value creativity and innovation.
- Company values: Airbnb highlights its values, such as inclusivity, sustainability, and community-building, through various posts. This helps attract candidates who share the same values and are passionate about the company’s mission.
- Employee-generated content: Airbnb encourages employees to share their stories and experiences using the hashtag #airbnblove, which they then repost on their account. This user-generated content adds authenticity and shows potential candidates the diversity of experiences within the company.
- Use of Instagram Stories and Reels: Airbnb effectively utilizes Instagram Stories and Reels to share engaging content, such as behind-the-scenes footage, company events, and employee takeovers. These formats help keep their content fresh and engaging.
By adopting these strategies, Airbnb effectively uses Instagram to attract and connect with potential candidates.
#3 Salesforce
Instagram handle: @salesforce
Why they’re nailing it:
- Focus on social impact: Salesforce’s Instagram account showcases the company’s commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy. By highlighting their involvement in charitable initiatives and environmental causes, Salesforce appeals to candidates who value a socially conscious workplace.
- Diversity and inclusion: Salesforce frequently shares content promoting diversity and inclusion, demonstrating the company’s commitment to creating an inclusive work environment.
- Engaging visuals: Salesforce uses eye-catching visuals, including vibrant colors and graphics, to make their content stand out and create a cohesive aesthetic across their Instagram feed.
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Additional Reads:
Social Media Recruitment Strategies
How to Use Twitter for Recruitment
Best Ways to Find Candidates Through Social Media