As a recruiter, there are always ways to improve your recruiting strategy. From learning how to craft a better email to adding in text messaging, your strategy needs to reach out to recruits in the ways they want to be contacted. SMS texting has become an essential way to reach a wide demographic of applicants. You’ll have a pool of potential applicants already signed up to receive text messages, and you’ll be able to send a notification within minutes of learning a new job is open. Text messaging is a fast, direct way to communicate and is beneficial when you are a recruiter.
Everyone Carries Their Mobile Phones
Mobile phones have become an integral part of society. Many people don’t have a home phone and rely on their cell phone as their primary source of communication. In addition, mobile phones are used to send emails, text messages and to surf the internet. 98% of text messages are read, with 90% read within the first three minutes. People have their cell phones within arm’s reach, and are going to look at a text message they receive fast.
Personalize Your Recruitment Strategy
Your marketing matters when it comes to recruiting. The texts that you send out to recipients must be personalized for the recipient. You don’t want to send out a mass message to your entire list of subscribers if the message you are sending is meant for a select few. Take the time to create lists of subscribers based on types of jobs so that you can send relevant job alerts to the right candidates. In addition, remember to only text during business hours to remain professional throughout the recruitment process.
Texting is Faster Than Sending an Email
Emails have a low open rate of 20%, which can drag out the recruitment process. When you have questions for a potential recruit, a quick text message will be read almost instantly. You’ll be able to set up an interview quickly through text messaging, or ask for more information to be provided by sending a link to an online form through texting. When texting is implemented as part of a recruitment strategy, the entire process goes much faster.
Text Messaging Offers Discreet Communication
Many people actively looking for work are doing so while still being employed. This means that if you try to call the recruit during business hours, they probably can’t take your call discreetly. Text messages are personal, and sent to the mobile device owned by the recruit. This means that when you send a text message, your chances of receiving a response during business hours is much higher. This is a discrete form of communication that can occur no matter where the recruit is at the moment.
Texting will improve your recruitment strategy if you use it correctly. All messages sent should be relevant to the recipient. Be careful about sending too many messages, as you will be seen as self-promotional. Recipients want to hear from you, but only when you have something of value to offer. Sending out too many generic text messages will annoy recipients and you will see your list of subscribers dwindle. Use text messaging during business hours, and text in conjunction with emails and phone calls. For quick questions, it is easier for recruits to respond to a text.
