How to Source Candidates on Facebook?

The Talent Sourcer’s toolbox: 

In the age of fast-paced living, social media has become an essential part of our daily routine. It's where we turn to catch up on the latest news, social media trends and keep in touch with friends and family. But did you know that social media is not just a tool for socializing anymore? It's also a goldmine of potential candidates for recruiters! While LinkedIn has traditionally been the preferred platform for sourcing talent, Facebook has emerged as a powerful tool for recruiters to find the perfect match. With a massive active user base of 2.98 billion, Facebook has become today’s central hub for social exchange. It's second only to Google as the most visited site. It has seamlessly woven itself into everyday life and culture, one friend request at a time.

What's more, Facebook houses the largest online database of profiles and personal information, offering endless possibilities beyond social interaction. For employers, recruiters, and talent acquisition professionals, Facebook presents potentially the most powerful online directory of talent on the planet.

However, one challenge remains; how do you navigate the vast sea of users and identify the right fit for your organization?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this article, we will share some expert tips and tricks for sourcing top-notch candidates on Facebook and how you can find the perfect match for your organization. But before we delve into the nuts and bolts of Facebook sourcing, let's first take a closer look at how Facebook has made it easier than ever for recruiters and job seekers to connect, and why you should seriously consider adding Facebook to your recruitment arsenal. 

So, buckle up and get ready to unleash the full potential of Facebook as a recruitment tool!

A Step-By-Step Guide To Sourcing Candidates On Facebook

The HR industry is constantly evolving, and with it, the way we recruit top talent. One of the biggest game-changers in recent years has been the rise of "Facebook recruiting" - a buzzword that's taken the industry by storm. And no, it doesn't involve sending friend requests to every job seeker on your newsfeed!

But what exactly is Facebook recruiting, and how can you use it to source top talent? That's what we're here to explore. So, get ready to revolutionize your recruitment strategy and tap into the immense potential of Facebook as a powerful recruitment tool.

Candidate sourcing and recruitment on Facebook – Have you ever been curious about how recruiters manage to find the perfect candidates for their job openings?

 The answer is candidate sourcing – a proactive approach to searching for and engaging with potential candidates. With the rising popularity of social media, especially Facebook, candidate sourcing has become easier and more effective than ever before.

But what exactly is candidate sourcing on Facebook? It involves using the social media platform to identify, attract, and engage potential job candidates.  Facebook's advanced search and filtering options enable recruiters to narrow down their search to specific job titles, industries, and locations, making it easier to find the ideal candidate.

Sourcing candidates through Facebook is critical because that's where the vast majority of job candidates are. Additionally, Facebook is one of the top platforms where people share information about themselves, including their location, interests, job history, education, and networking skills.

Did you know that people are at least 50 times more active on Facebook than they are on LinkedIn or any other professional networking site? This makes it a paradise for recruiters, packed with passive candidates who may not be actively looking for a job. Furthermore, it's an excellent platform for driving referrals and rapidly establishing credibility for your brand. 

Here are a few other benefits of using Facebook for candidate sourcing: 

• Its massive user base is your biggest talent pool: Facebook, with its massive user base of over 2.9 billion monthly active users, presents an excellent opportunity for companies to source potential candidates efficiently. Leveraging this platform for recruitment purposes can help companies access a wide pool of candidates in a short period, streamlining the recruitment process.
• It’s a cost-effective method of candidate sourcing and recruitment: Compared to traditional recruitment methods, Facebook provides an economical solution for candidate sourcing. Posting job openings on job boards can cost anywhere from $25 to $500 on average, whereas companies can advertise their job vacancies, showcase their employer brand, and host events on Facebook at no additional cost. This cost-effective approach to recruitment not only enables companies to save money but also allows them to reach a wider audience, maximizing their chances of finding the right fit for their job openings.
• A great tool for targeting passive candidates: Facebook provides an effective avenue for reaching out to passive candidates who may not be actively seeking employment. By showcasing attractive job offers that align with their interests and priorities, Facebook can help companies position themselves as desirable employers and stay on top of potential candidates' minds. Additionally, if the job offer is compelling, it may entice passive candidates to consider a career move.
• Targeted advertising through Facebook: Facebook's advanced targeting capabilities allow companies to target job postings and employer brand content to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, ensuring that recruitment efforts are effectively directed to a relevant audience. As a result, Facebook has become a powerful tool for sourcing qualified candidates. Research indicates that Facebook ads have an average click-through rate (CTR) increase of 6%, demonstrating that this platform is highly effective in driving traffic to job postings and attracting potential candidates.
• Provides an opportunity for social connection: Facebook provides an effective platform for recruiters to connect with candidates on a more personal level. By engaging with candidates, answering their questions, and providing insights into the company culture, recruiters can establish a relationship with potential candidates. This can lead to increased trust and rapport, enabling recruiters to better evaluate whether a candidate is a good fit for the company.

How to source candidates on Facebook: 6 key steps 

Step 1: Start by creating a Facebook business page:

To jumpstart your Facebook recruitment efforts, the initial step is to establish an active Facebook Business Page for your company. In today's digital era, it is crucial to have a digital footprint, and with Facebook's massive user base, it's a strategic move to leverage this platform's recruitment potential.

Recent data reveals that there are over 80 million small businesses with active Facebook pages, and approximately 60% of consumers utilize Facebook to research products or services. Setting up a business page not only improves your company's online visibility but also instills confidence in potential candidates, who are more inclined to apply to businesses that exhibit a professional social media presence.

Step 2: Showcase your company’s culture and build a thriving community:

Once you have set up your Facebook Business Page, the next step is to showcase your company culture and build a community to attract the best candidates. Creating a collaborative and engaging environment on Facebook can provide job seekers with valuable insights into your company's values and career opportunities. Begin by adding a dedicated Careers Tab to your company page that highlights job openings and your company culture.

However, it's not enough to stop there. Developing a comprehensive social media marketing plan that includes compelling content relevant to job seekers' interests and concerns is essential. Recent research reveals that 79% of job seekers use social media platforms to search for jobs, Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your messaging is consistent and effectively highlights your company's core values and strengths.

By regularly sharing engaging content, you can not only enhance your reputation as an employer but also foster meaningful relationships with potential candidates.

Step 3: Create a compelling job posting on Facebook: 

Now that you've set up your Facebook Business Page and given some background information about your company, the next step is to figure out how to create a job post that will stand out in the crowd.

To make sure your job post catches the attention of potential candidates, it's essential to make it engaging and informative. This means creating job ads that communicate the responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits of the role.

But it's not just about the words you use. You also need to make sure your job post includes eye-catching visuals that will stop job seekers from scrolling past it. A well-designed image or graphic can make all the difference in getting your job ad noticed.

It's equally important to use clear language that's easy for anyone to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that could be confusing to job seekers outside your industry. Instead, use straightforward language that clearly describes the job and the kind of candidate you're looking for.

Step 4: Become a part of Facebook groups that are relevant to your area of industry: 

If you want to reach a specific audience of job seekers, Facebook groups can be a powerful tool. Joining groups that are related to your industry or job function allows you to connect with members who are already interested in what you do.

Search for relevant groups using keywords related to your industry or job function. Once you've found some promising groups, read the rules carefully and make sure you understand what's allowed. Then, engage with members by sharing job openings and company news that are relevant to the group's interests.

Focus on providing valuable information that demonstrates your expertise and builds trust with the community. By leveraging Facebook groups, you can reach a targeted audience of potential candidates and establish yourself as a valuable member of the community.

Step 5: Utilize Facebook targeting options: 

To discover the best candidates, casting a wide net and hoping for the best won't cut it. That's where Facebook's targeting options come in. It is a powerful tool that allows you to precisely target the audience you want to reach with your job postings.

If you're looking for candidates with specific skills or experience, or you want to attract a diverse range of applicants, Facebook's targeting capabilities make it easy to find the right people. You can target specific demographics like age, gender, and location, as well as interests and behaviors that are relevant to your industry or job function.

By utilizing Facebook's targeting options, you can rest assured that your job postings are reaching the people who are most likely to be interested in your company and qualified for the position. Not only will this save you time and money, but it will also increase the chances of finding the ideal candidate for the job.

Step 6: Always remain connected with your prospective candidates: 

To ensure successful recruitment on Facebook, it is essential to prioritize communication with potential candidates. Building meaningful connections with applicants is crucial, and Facebook is an ideal platform for doing so. By using Facebook Messenger, you can engage in two-way communication with candidates and respond quickly to their inquiries. This will not only help you schedule interviews or phone screens but also build a positive relationship with them, ultimately improving their overall candidate experience and increasing their interest in the job.

Providing an exceptional candidate experience is critical to successful recruitment, and timely responses to questions, queries, and comments on your Facebook careers page are key. If you appear unresponsive, potential candidates may lose interest in your job openings and look for opportunities with other companies. Therefore, staying on top of your Facebook messaging is essential to show candidates that you are attentive to their needs.

Remember, a positive candidate’s experience can go a long way in attracting top talent to your company, so be sure to prioritize communication and engagement throughout the recruitment process.

Last word: 

Candidate sourcing on Facebook is already a game-changer for hiring top-quality candidates, and with new features and trends emerging, the opportunities for recruiters, HR professionals, business owners, and small business to find their perfect hire are only getting better. 

However, we know that recruiting can still be a daunting task, which is why EasySource has your back. Our innovative platform combines state-of-the-art technology with human expertise to help you find, screen, and hire the best candidates quickly and efficiently. Plus, with EasySource, you can streamline your sourcing process, save time and money, and achieve your hiring goals. Don't let your business fall behind - know more about EasySource to discover how our expert guidance can help you build the winning team that your business deserves. Try Hirequotient now and see how we can take your recruiting to the next level!