How many times have you been browsing Amazon and put something in your cart, only to abandon it before you make the decision to buy? Job seekers do the same thing when it comes to applying for jobs. Many will go to a company’s career site because they're interested in the company, but they may not be quite ready to apply. So what do you do to keep interested job seekers from leaving your career site – possibly forever?
Two words: Talent networks. A talent network is a database of job candidates who have shown an interest in your company. Whether candidates are ready to apply or not, they can join your talent network to receive ongoing communication (via email or text) that enables them to learn more about your company, job openings and other career-related information. By enabling high-potential, interested candidates to join your talent network without the pressure to apply, you keep them from slipping through the cracks and engaged for future openings.
But that only scratches the surface of talent network benefits. They also help you:
1. Capture candidates before they drop off.
It’s rare that a candidate finds a job he or she likes and completes the (often long) application process right away. It’s even rarer for a job seeker to continuously check back on a company’s career site to see if any relevant positions have opened up. So giving candidates the option to join a talent network in a few simple clicks can keep them engaged and connected to you for the longer haul.
2. Save time recruiting.
Talent networks enable you to build a pool of interested candidates so that when you have a position to fill – today, tomorrow or even a year from now – you don’t always have to create a job ad, post it and wait for applications to trickle in. You can go directly to your focused talent network and source from there.
3. Save on recruiting costs.
With a talent network, you can save money that would normally go toward advertising and recruitment marketing because you’ve already done the groundwork to get candidates interested in your opportunities. And because you can get to work recruiting right away (as mentioned above), you’ll save on costs associated with time-to-hire, such as lost productivity.
4. Improve the candidate experience.
Talent networks do not just benefit companies, but candidates reap the benefits, too. Not only are they the first to find out about new positions that are relevant to their skills and interests, they also save time because the jobs come directly to them. Also, talent networks are all about engaging candidates and keeping the lines of communication open, creating a more personal experience that candidates rarely get from companies today.
5. Get a better-quality hire.
Candidates in your talent network are individuals who are truly interested in your company and excited about working there, so they're engaged before they even start. They also take the time to learn about your company, understand the culture and decide for themselves if they would be a good fit.
With these tips, start taking steps today to keep candidates engaged for jobs that don't yet exist.
