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More about Recruiting

If a current employee recommends a friend or acquaintance, the thinking goes, odds are that person will have a better chance of success in the position than a "stranger" recruited through a classified ad.

2) Movie theatre advertising. Many local movie theatres now take advantage of the "wait time" before the previews begin to sell advertising to local and national businesses. These pre-preview "slides" are generally purchased by local companies selling their products and services. But some creative firms have spotted an opportunity to pitch their job opportunities to a captive audience of movie-goers. The cost is reasonable. The only downside is you're not likely to be able to pick and choose the movies you want your ad to be included with - so your "target audiences" will run the gamut from fans of Saw to Harry Potter.

3) High school/college newspapers. Don't limit your paid advertising to the local newspaper. High school and college or technical school students can offer a rich source of job applicants for certain positions - and the cost of advertising in their publications is often very reasonable.

4) "Messages on hold." While no business wants its customers to be placed on hold, busy phone reps can be a fact of life. To capitalize on the situation, consider playing messages while the callers are on hold - including messages about job openings, information on your job hotline, etc.

5) Job cards. Ask your existing employees to serve as recruiters. Provide them with "job cards" to distribute to people they know. Use a "business card" format and include pertinent information about how to apply for jobs with your company - address, "jobs hotline number" if you have one, Internet address, etc.

6) Job fairs. Job fairs have become an increasingly popular event in many communities. They offer an opportunity to share information about your company and open positions with a variety of people - all looking for jobs. You'll be competing for attention with other businesses, though, so make sure your booth stands out, that it's staffed with knowledgeable and friendly people and that you have plenty of "takeaway" materials - including current job openings, job descriptions and information about your company - for those who stop by.

7) The Internet. In the "old days," if you wanted to advertise an open position you ran an ad in the local newspaper or, you may have expanded your search to include ads in trade journals or even solicited the assistance of a recruiter or "headhunter." Today, on-line recruitment is becoming more a standard business practice with large and small organizations, alike, taking advantage of the reach and immediacy offered by the world wide web. There are numerous online recruitment sites available - many catering to very specialized recruitment needs.

8) Newcomer programs. New people moving to your community can be a good target for your recruitment efforts. Many communities over "newcomer programs" - mailings that go out to new movers with information about area businesses and services. Check with your Chamber of Commerce to see if they're aware of such a program in your area.

9) Media - overall "image." Everything you do sends a message about your company to people who may be potential job applicants. What kind of image are you conveying?

10) Your own web site. If you have a web site, make sure you're using it as another vehicle for information about what a great place your company is to work - and that you offer an easy way for visitors to your site to indicate their interest in working for you. Many businesses find recruitment to be one of the key benefits of having an Internet site!

11) "Rejected" candidates. You are "recruiting" all of the time, even when you turn...