Blog Post: Ten Tips on Recuritment Blogging

Blogs are no longer the newest thing.  They have become standard practice for most  Human Resource Professionals in Greater Los Angeles.  They can speak to the top candidates like no other tool can.  Competition for the top candidates is fierce, and your recruitment blog can give you that one advantage.  Blogs are different from your job postings.  They add a human touch, a sense of real.  Reading a great blog can actually make you feel like you get to know the writer and provide some true insight into the organization. 

We’ve compiled the top 10 blogging tips on ensuring your readers – your future top employees -- are understanding what it’s really like to work for your company.

1.       Be real.  With everything that’s thrown at them over the internet, today’s job seekers are more hesitant to trust.  If you sugar coat, they’ll actually look for the holes in your story.  This doesn’t mean that you have to be negative.  Just put it in plain language.  Tell the whole story.  If for instance, working at your science lab requires you to be alone doing research for hours on end, then say that.  Don’t just say “must be an independent worker”.  You’ll actually attract those readers that prefer this type of work.  Those that prefer a group setting will deselect themselves from the process.

2.       Open a conversation.  Probably the most common concern from new bloggers is their writing ability.  A blog is different from a formal article or term paper that you had to write in school.  A blog is merely a conversation.  A chat about anything that’s on your mind today.  Specifically, a recruitment blog is about what’s happening in your company.  And who knows that better than you?  Explain the latest trend, what’s cool, or a tidbit of advice that a potential new employee would want to know about your company… and explain it in a tone just as if you were talking to your best friend.  Remember that day when you came home bursting with some news and just had to share it?  Well, you’ve can now share it with anyone that has an interest in your company!  A whole new world of friends.

3.       Respond to Comments.  Your blogs opens your conversation.  Comments keep it going.  The ability for your readers to comment on your blog is what really makes this a unique marketing tool.  They might ask a question about one of your points.  And just as your high school math teacher said, there’s no such thing as a silly question.  If one person is thinking it, there are many more who are too but are afraid to ask.  Or a comment might just add to your point either in agreement or disagreement.  Either way, their opinion is valid.  Respond to all comments by commenting back.  It encourages more to keep the conversation going.

4.       Paint a picture.  I love visual images in blogs.  You can add pictures or videos to most blogs.  If you can’t, paint a picture with your words.  Use vivid descriptions to help your reader paint a canvas of what your organization’s culture is all about.  For example, you might describe your company as a “Fortune 500 energy company”.  Or you could describe your company (the same one) as a “mecca of creative minds working together on a mission to develop energy alternatives that will work with rather than pollute our planet”.  Which one would you rather work for?  Either could work, but each one speaks to a different type of individual.  Which type are you wanting to attract to your workforce?

5.       Link out / Link in.  Would you like your blogs to be picked up by a larger audience?  If so, think link.  Linking out.. When you are writing your blog, think of how you can additionally help your reader.  Is there a piece of advice that you’ve gleaned from somewhere else?  If so, link to it.  You can link to a page on a website, another blog, or even an email address.  Search engines, like Google, like blogs that link out and provide the reader with other places to go for more information.   Linking in… help others find your blog by creating links to it.  Put a link in your email signature line, from your company’s website, or from other social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.  If you write for other websites, put a link to your blog in the bio at the end of your articles. 

6.       Tag you’re it.  Tags are like keywords on steroids.  Your blogs should contain phrases or words that best sum up and describe the content of your blog post.  Search engines will pull from these and give you a higher ranking.  However, some words or phrases are more likely than others to be picked up.  For instance, you’ll probably see better results with a phrase such as “trucking jobs in LA” than just “jobs”

7.       Title it last.  The words in the title of your blog post are also important to search engines.  So title it last.  Write your blog post, then consider what really describes it.  Use a few keywords in your title along with being “catchy”.

8.       Be timely with your advice.  Blogs live forever, yet they are all written just like a diary with the most recent post being at the forefront.  And they are stamped with the current time and date.  Therefore, keep it up to date.  Write something as often as possible or whenever the latest news happens.  If you’re company is releasing a new product this week, then put the recruitment spin on that.  When the product is released, let your audience know how that will affect the employment outlook of your organization.  Or tell them about a fun event that you’ve just put on such as a company 3-legged race and how the CEO tripped and skinned her knee.  This reveals the human side.

9.       Reveal a little of yourself.  Be sure your picture and bio are prominently displayed on your blog.  This helps the reader make a connection with you on a more personal level.  And of course, be sure to include your opinions. 

10.   If it’s on your mind… say it.  Lastly, some of the best posts come when you are at your most emotional.  Good or bad.  Of course, keep your posts positive.  However, some of the most difficult lessons in life come from a sense of struggle.  Change happens when you are open to it.  And be sure to also share your excitement!  A success is sweeter with a celebration.  Share your individual and organizational achievements in your blog.  Your readers will want to read more.

Keep on blogging!