12 types of recruitment methods every recruiter must know
What are the main types of recruitment methods?
The main types of recruitment methods split into internal hiring, such as promotions and referrals, and external hiring, such as job ads, agencies, and career events.
- Internal methods save time and reward your current staff.
- External methods bring fresh talent and new ideas.
- The best mix depends on the role, your budget, and your timeline.
A big part of any company’s success comes from its hardworking employees. So the right talent to back your growth always starts with your recruitment process.
The job market stays competitive. There are always many candidates after one role. At the same time, employers compete for the best people. So you need to be creative and mix different strategies into your recruitment process. As a result, you find not just the right people but also hidden talent.
Your recruitment does not have to be dull. So get to know the 12 types of recruitment methods you can use to secure the best candidates.
Internal recruitment vs. external recruitment
There are many types of recruitment methods [1] you can use. So you need to choose which kinds match your needs. To attract the right people, you also have to use strategies that fit your workplace. In short, the methods fall into two groups.
Internal recruitment
Internal recruitment means you source a role from within your own company. This saves both time and money. So you skip much of the search, interview, and onboarding work.
Your staff already know your culture and ways of working. In addition, internal hiring shows your people that you value them. However, there is one downside. Sourcing only from within may limit fresh ideas and diversity.
Examples of internal recruitment are promotion, internal transfer, employee referral, and internal job ads.
External recruitment
External recruitment means you source people outside your company. It is also the most common route for recruiters. Bringing in new hires can give your teams brand-new ideas and approaches.
However, external hiring can be costly and slow. It involves sourcing, interviews, tests, and checks before you decide. Examples of external recruitment are career events, networking meetings, and job postings.
Why hiring the best talent is essential
Great hires shape your company’s efficiency and productivity. More than that, they support your company in a few key ways.
Helps drive business value and growth
The best hires act as a long-term investment. So they help cut the time and money you spend on more hiring later. Skilled, driven people give a lot to the company. In addition, they want to grow their careers as the company thrives.
Highlights your employer brand
You attract top talent when you already have strong staff. If you always search for new hires, it hurts your brand. This is true when new people come and go fast.
Candidates also check a company before they apply. For example, a Glassdoor survey found that 65% of applicants weigh employer branding before they decide.
Maintains employee morale
A poor hire always affects your workplace, above all if they do not fit your culture. So it can hurt employee morale, since problems may arise in both work and relationships. On the other hand, the best hires boost morale. As a result, they inspire others to step up and do better.
Top 12 types of recruitment methods
As a recruiter, you cannot just rely on LinkedIn or one platform to find talent. Sometimes it is hard to pick the methods that will work best. The good news is that you have a wide choice. Below are 12 types of recruitment methods to help your company out.
1. Employment referrals
Most companies run an employee referral program. It is one of the most effective methods. It also blends internal and external hiring, since staff can refer coworkers and outside people. This route is cost-effective. In addition, staff tend to refer suitable, reliable candidates.
2. Direct advertising
Direct advertising is a great way to spread the news and attract applicants. You can post ads on career sites, social media, job boards, and trade outlets. So it also shows your employer brand to a wider crowd and builds your name.
However, direct advertising can be pricey next to other methods. If your ads miss the right audience, you draw the wrong people. Or worse, only a few people see them at all.
3. Talent pool databases
Your talent pool database helps a lot when you search for the right person. In most cases, you choose between two or three finalists. So when you open new roles, it pays to revisit your talent pool. As a result, you save time and focus on other key work.
4. Recruitment agencies
Outsourcing is one smart move that many growing firms now use. Top providers often offer a full-cycle recruitment service for you. So this fits well when you lack the HR resources to run hiring yourself.
Recruitment agencies, above all BPO companies, can find top talent for hard-to-fill roles you need fast. ConnectOS is a premier company that helps businesses of all kinds access the best talent, providing the highest quality recruitment services that seamlessly integrate their onshore teams in a cost-effective, simpler, and thorough process.
5. Promotions
Promotion is perhaps the simplest and fastest way to hire. It is cost-effective too. So you can fill a needed role without much effort. In addition, you help staff move up the ladder. For them, a promotion means more pay and benefits, but also more work and duties.
6. Internal transfers
Promotion and internal transfer sound alike, yet they differ. Unlike a promotion, a transfer brings no pay raise or extra duties. Instead, it is a parallel shift within the company. For example, you might move an employee to another branch in the same role.
7. Employment exchange
Employment exchange is a government-run scheme that links jobs to qualified people out of work. In short, the government tracks job seekers in the country. Employers then share their list of openings with the exchange office. From there, they get details on suitable candidates. Common roles here are artisan, farm, and factory work.
8. Internships and apprenticeships
Internships and apprenticeships are a great way to train people for future roles. As they work, you can spot their strengths and what they may bring. After all, every great leader starts somewhere, often at entry level. So these programs can grow the leaders and talent of tomorrow.
9. Professional organizations
Professional bodies can be a prime source of skilled experts. A link with one gives you access to the know-how you need. Some roles even require membership to qualify. In addition, many experts join these groups to boost their standing and job odds.
10. Rehiring former employees
This means you rehire past staff who did well and left on good terms. Such a rehire is also called a boomerang employee. So it spares your team the long, tedious search for candidates. It also means you already know their skills, and they know your culture.
11. Bulletin boards
Bulletin boards are still a thing today. This method is common in factories and farms. Many out-of-work people check factory boards for openings. The same goes for farms, where seasonal workers gather to see if local jobs are open.
12. Word of mouth
Word of mouth is one powerful recruiting method. It works well for well-known brands, since they already stand out. So if you have a strong employer brand, you may be the top choice for many. All you do is put the word out and wait as good candidates apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between internal and external recruitment?
Internal recruitment fills a role from within your own staff. External recruitment brings in people from outside. So internal hiring saves time, while external hiring adds fresh ideas.
Which type of recruitment method is most cost-effective?
Employee referrals and promotions rank among the most cost-effective. Both cut search and onboarding time. In addition, they tend to bring reliable, well-matched hires.
When should a company use a recruitment agency?
Use an agency when you lack the HR resources or need to fill a role fast. Agencies, above all BPO firms, can find top talent for hard-to-fill jobs. So they take the load off your team.
Are bulletin boards still an effective recruitment method?
Yes, in some fields. Factories and farms still rely on them. So they work well for seasonal and hands-on roles where workers check boards in person.
How do I choose the right recruitment method?
First, weigh the role, your budget, and your timeline. Next, decide if internal or external hiring fits best. Then match those needs to the methods above.
Key takeaways
- Recruitment methods split into internal hiring and external hiring.
- Internal methods, like promotions and referrals, save time and reward current staff.
- External methods, like ads and agencies, bring fresh talent and new ideas.
- Referrals and promotions rank among the most cost-effective options.
- The best method depends on the role, your budget, and your timeline.
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