In an era where digital footprints dictate success, recruiters need to stay ahead of the curve. With job seekers today being as internet savvy as ever, it’s time for recruitment strategies to evolve. Enter TikTok – a social media platform that comprises over 1 billion active monthly users. It’s turning heads, not just with dance routines and cooking tips, but as a novel stage for recruitment.
This article uncovers the potential of TikTok as a recruitment tool, providing a roadmap to boost your employer brand and engage with a new pool of talent. From why TikTok merits your attention to the best practices for maximum engagement, let’s navigate the intriguing world of recruitment marketing on TikTok.
In this article we will:
- Discuss why you should consider TikTok for recruitment marketing
- Help you figure out when to consider TikTok for recruitment
- Provide useful information to understand the TikTok algorithm for recruiting
- Explain how to use TikTok to boost your employer brand
- Review the TikTok do’s and don’ts
- Address the best practices for engagement and interaction on TikTok
- Finally, we will talk about some examples of TikTok employer branding
Ready to change the tempo of your hiring strategy? Let’s dive in.
Why you should consider TikTok for recruitment marketing
As a recruitment professional, the value of using social media in hiring strategies is nothing new. Yet, TikTok’s unique blend of features takes this to a whole new level.
The rise of TikTok in recruitment marketing
TikTok’s soaring popularity, particularly amongst the younger demographic, makes it an ideal channel to reach out to fresh, vibrant talent. Furthermore, the authentic and personal nature of the content posted on TikTok allows for a deeper, more meaningful connection with potential candidates.
Benefits of using TikTok for recruitment
When it comes to recruitment, TikTok is so popular that 79% of job seekers have used social media in their job search in the last year. With its massive global user base, your employer brand can reach a much wider audience. Furthermore, the platform’s format encourages organic, viral content, giving even smaller companies a chance to make a big impact.
Here’s some important benefits to understand when considering TikTok for employer branding:
Access to a global talent pool
TikTok’s user base spans the globe, giving you access to a diverse and international talent pool. This can significantly broaden your recruitment reach and diversify your workforce.
Attracting young talent
With a large proportion of TikTok users falling into the 16-24 age demographic, it’s an ideal platform for reaching out to young talent. If your organisation is seeking fresh, innovative minds, TikTok can be a prime resource.
Enhancing employer brand visibility
TikTok’s short, engaging videos can quickly go viral, dramatically enhancing your brand visibility. This increased visibility can attract more potential candidates and foster a positive employer brand.
Cost-effective recruitment
With the right content, you can reach thousands, if not millions, of users on TikTok without spending a penny. This makes it a highly cost-effective addition to your recruitment marketing mix.
Facilitating authentic engagement
TikTok’s format encourages authentic, personal content. This can foster deeper engagement with potential candidates, allowing you to form genuine connections and give a realistic insight into your company culture.
To learn more about how employer branding can help you attract and retain young talent, download StudySmarter’s free guide.
When to consider TikTok for recruitment
Understanding when to leverage TikTok in your recruitment strategy is essential. This involves a keen understanding of your target audience and the organisation’s hiring goals.
Assessing your audience
The demographics of TikTok users lean towards the younger generation. Thus, if you’re looking to attract fresh graduates or early-career professionals, TikTok could be an invaluable tool.
Aligning TikTok with your recruitment goals
Integrating TikTok into your recruitment strategy should align with your overall hiring objectives. It’s essential to consider factors like the kind of roles you’re hiring for and the cultural fit you’re seeking.
Understanding the TikTok algorithm for recruitment
To optimise your recruitment efforts on TikTok, it’s vital to comprehend how the platform’s algorithm works.
The science behind TikTok algorithm
The TikTok algorithm is designed to promote content that users find engaging and relevant. It takes into account various factors, including the details of the videos you share, user interactions, and video information.
Leveraging TikTok’s algorithm for your recruitment strategy
Understanding the workings of the TikTok algorithm can help tailor your recruitment content for maximum visibility. Creating engaging, relevant content and using appropriate hashtags can significantly enhance your reach.
Ways to use TikTok to boost your employer brand
Boosting your employer brand on TikTok involves a mix of creativity, authenticity, and a keen understanding of what resonates with the TikTok audience.
Showcasing company culture
Using TikTok to showcase your company culture can help potential candidates visualise what it’s like to work for your organisation. If an average of 53% of TikTok users say they trust others to be their real selves on TikTok, being transparent and authentic about what it’s like to work at the organisation by showing snippets from the workday, sharing employee testimonials, or encouraging team activities, is more important than ever.
Engaging in trending challenges
Participating in trending challenges on TikTok can increase your visibility on the platform while showcasing your company as modern and in touch with current trends.
Utilising effective hashtags
Strategic use of hashtags can significantly enhance the reach of your content. It’s crucial to use relevant and popular hashtags to tap into the platform’s vast user base.
Creating interactive content
TikTok thrives on interaction. Encouraging user engagement through comments, shares, and likes can significantly boost your visibility on the platform.
TikTok do’s and don’ts
TikTok is an excellent platform for recruitment marketing, but it requires a keen understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Here are some guidelines:
| The Do’s | The Don’ts |
| Embrace Authenticity: The hallmark of TikTok is its authenticity. Candidates appreciate real, unfiltered glimpses into your company. Share the real stories, whether it’s celebrating a team member’s birthday, hosting a virtual meeting, or a behind-the-scenes look at your workspace. | Don’t Overlook Your Audience: TikTok’s user demographic leans towards a younger audience. Ensure that your content is designed to resonate with this group. Trying to force content that appeals to a different demographic could lead to poor engagement. |
| Utilise Trending Hashtags: Incorporate trending hashtags relevant to your content. This simple strategy can maximise your visibility and attract more potential candidates. | Don’t Make It All About Business: Remember, TikTok users are there primarily for entertainment. Keep your content light, engaging, and fun. If every post is just about job openings or corporate achievements, you may quickly lose your audience’s interest. |
| Engage with Your Audience: TikTok thrives on interaction. Make sure to respond to comments on your posts, participate in challenges, and engage with user-generated content that resonates with your brand. |
Best practices for engagement and interaction on TikTok
Mastering engagement on TikTok can significantly enhance your recruitment efforts on the platform. Here are some tips:
Crafting authentic content
TikTok users value authenticity above all else. Ensure your content is genuine, and don’t be afraid to show the fun side of your organisation.
Building connections through engagement
Engage with the comments on your posts. Responding to comments can foster a sense of connection with potential candidates and enhance your employer brand.
Consistency and timing
Regular posting is key to maintaining visibility on TikTok. Consider your target audience’s active hours and try to post during those times for maximum engagement.
TikTok employer branding examples
For inspiration, look no further than these successful TikTok employer branding examples.
Washington Post
The Washington Post has mastered the art of creating engaging and entertaining content that also showcases their work culture.
They effortlessly blend humour with behind-the-scenes footage, showing prospective employees a fun and vibrant work environment.
Guess
Guess used TikTok to host their ‘#InMyDenim’ challenge, which invited users to post videos of their transformations using Guess denim.
The challenge garnered more than 38 million views, significantly boosting their brand visibility.
Chipotle
Chipotle regularly uses TikTok to highlight their workplace culture. With videos showcasing their employees having fun at work, they successfully convey a vibrant and inclusive workplace.
