This article was contributed by Jason Dirkham
Recruitment can go through the motions. One minute you’re drawing up a list of candidates and the next you’re interviewing them like 90% of businesses in the industry. There is nothing wrong with sticking to the status quo, but it doesn’t always set the right tone. Sometimes, going off-piste is the best way to attract quality candidates who fit in straight away. That’s what visual recruiting is: a way to sort the strong applicants from the weak ones by reading between the lines.
If you aren’t familiar with the reasons why visual recruiting is a business asset, continue reading. The following might revolutionize the way you hire people and, therefore, conduct business.
Job Specification
Write out a job spec, post it online, and hope everyone follows it to the letter – that’s mainly how job specifications work. There is a problem, and it lies in the fact that anyone can do this without having to overexert themselves. What if you’re a creative company and need to evaluate how applicants think outside of the box? A regular job spec won’t cut it, which is where visual recruitment comes into play. Show them an image and get them to analyze it to see where their creative talents lie. Alternatively, ask them to recreate it and send in their copy.
Branding
How you brand your business will impact who applies for outstanding roles. You want the best of the best, so you should aim to stand out from the crowd. How can you do it without over complicating matters? The answer is with an image. Not only do they instantly catch the eye, but they’re engaging and ask questions of the reader. Fantastic visuals also reflect positively on the company. If an ad is witty or funny, for example, you’ll get points for making them laugh or smile. Employees need to know their future employer is on their level, and good visual recruiting hits the nail on the head.
Work/Life Balance
Another thing that high-quality workers find essential is their balance between work and life. Sure, you can tell them what they want to hear, but they might not listen. Unless they see it in black and white, they’re likely to be skeptical. Employee benefits programs that rely on visuals eliminate any skepticism because they provide evidence. Whether it’s private health insurance or discounts interviewees are bothered about, they can find all the info they need. Tick the lifestyle perks off the list and the perfect candidates will flock to your office.
Enjoyment
Anyone who has ever applied for a job knows it’s challenging. There is no fun to the process, just box-ticking. Visual recruitment adds an element of enjoyment through the images themselves. For example, you can create a competition to find your latest protege. With a video entry, the applicants won’t find it monotonous or mind-numbingly dull. Rather, they’ll take pride in their work and the excitement will encourage them to raise their level.
Recruitment shouldn’t negate the enjoyment aspect, or else you’ll recruit people of the same ilk.
This article was contributed by Jason Dirkham
