Recruitment Methods

Businesses, human resources managers and other staffing professionals use many recruitment strategies and methods. Some of the more widely used recruitment methods include placing advertisements in local newspapers and online, publishing internal announcements for promotions and personal referrals, enlisting employment and executive recruitment agencies and using government job centers. Progressive companies also use social and new media strategies to target the best candidates for their staffing needs.

Job Advertisements
One of the most common recruitment methods for businesses is job advertisements placed in local and national print and online publications. The key is to advertise in places that are more likely to attract the kinds of candidates sought by the company. For example, technical businesses tend to advertise in specific trade publications and websites with high traffic rates. Advertisements and promotions typically include important information such as the location, job title, description, compensation package and instructions on how to apply for jobs.

Internal Bulletins and Personal Recommendations
Businesses sometimes use internal bulletins to alert staff to positions available. Their reasons are usually twofold: to pose an incentive for those seeking advancement to apply, and to seek referrals from employees. This can be a very effective way to isolate some of the best job candidates. Both existing staff and those they refer already have a relationship with someone connected to the company. This can easily save companies time and money in their recruitment efforts. Recognizing this, some firms even offer bonuses for referrals who become employees.

Employment and Recruitment Agencies
Companies sometimes use employment and recruitment agencies as part of their staffing strategy. An employment agency can save businesses the hassle involved with the initial screening of outside resumes, assessing qualifications and testing, and checking references. Recruiters provide their services for a fee, often specializing in certain employment areas, such as financial services professionals, teachers, office workers and executives.

Government Job Centers
Government job centers usually offer advertising services as part of their employment development effort for the citizens they serve. The government has job training and seeking divisions that work in concert with businesses that need to staff their companies. The state employment development departments usually have both online and print listings where companies may advertise their job vacancies free of charge.