The advent of social media has brought with it unique ways for employers to reach out for recruiting purposes. Social media websites are full of talented individuals who may fit the bill for an open position, and utilizing hashtags is a newer development that makes this method of recruiting even more effective. Here is everything that recruiters need to know about using hashtags to draw in the most qualified individuals.

Understanding Hashtags

While hashtags are commonly used on Twitter, some people just do not use them in their personal lives. Recruiters who have yet to get started on Twitter for personal purposes may not be familiar with the use of hashtags. 

Hashtags are words or phrases that are prefaced with a pound sign (#). For example, recruiters may use the hashtag "#jobsearch" to notify Twitter users that a job posting is available. Users are then able to search through Twitter just for this tag, and the company's post will be included in these results. Hashtags essentially group related posts to provide relevant results for users.

Where to Use Hashtags for Recruiting

Twitter is considered to be the birthplace of the hashtag in social media, but Facebook joined the scene in 2013. While Facebook now allows users to utilize hashtags in order to find related posts, recruiting via hashtag still tends to be a more lucrative pursuit on Twitter. Twitter users have been using this method of finding information since 2009 and are more familiar with the concept.

The Benefits of Hashtag Employee Recruiting

Twitter and Facebook posts are generally only shown directly to followers, and anyone else who wants to find out what companies have to say has to visit the profile page of the business. Hashtags are beneficial because they offer up information to anyone who searches for the tag regardless of whether they follow the company. Other benefits of using hashtags for recruiting purposes are outlined below.

• Social media followers are likely to already be familiar with the company. Loyal followers can more easily transition into the role of loyal employees.

• Hashtags in social media posts get the word out about an open position more quickly than posting on job sites or even posting job information without hashtags via social media.

• Data related to the way that candidates interact with the company via social media can be used to analyze their compatibility with the business.

• Followers who know friends or family members who may be ideal for the advertised position can easily share a post or retweet in order to get the word out. Instead of having to advertise on job sites, companies are able to reach a wide audience without the level of effort associated with more traditional recruiting methods.

• Social media recruiting establishes that the business is using the latest techniques for filling open positions, and this can improve the overall image and brand recognition of the business.

Hashtags to Use for Recruiting

Reaching a wide audience is a matter of using hashtags that are commonly searched for when a candidate is looking for job postings. Here are the top 10 employee recruiting hashtags.

• #jobs

• #jobs with the location of the business

• #hiring

• #employment

• #resume

• #interview

• #unemployment

• #consulting

• #jobfair

• #employers

Where to Draw the Line

Using hashtags to recruit can be effective, but recruiters need to understand that it is possible to overuse the feature. Posts that are completely dominated by hashtags are not recommended. A short hashtag that follows or is incorporated in a post tends to be the most effective method of utilizing hashtags for employee recruiting.

Time Warner Cable has a Twitter account set aside for their HR department and they frequently use these hashtags.Nu Skin does a great job with their hashtag recruiting on Twitter and on their NuSkin Linkedin page. Hired is another company that hits it out of the park with their job recruitment hashtags.