Passive candidates are the hard to find, and hard to get players. Whatever your particular definition of “passive” is, the idea is the same; someone who isn’t looking for a job. For recruiters and sourcers, it is the difference between reactive and proactive approaches and techniques.
Passive candidates are recruiting gold for a gaggle of reasons. An informative LinkedIn infographic leaves us with some great insights into the benefits of focusing on passive candidate recruitment efforts.
- Passive talent is 120% more likely to want to make an impact.
- 56% are more likely to want a corporate culture that fits to their personality.
- Passive candidates are 33% more likely to want challenging work.
- Passive talent is also less needy, 17% less likely to need skill development and 21% less likely to need recognition.
Video Interviewing
Video interviewing systems have quickly and solidly found themselves among the standard HR technology tools of today’s HR departments. Offering passive candidates an interview is much different than offering them a video interview. Via video, candidates don’t have to get their suit dry-cleaned, find a basitter, or schedule time for the interview and travel.
Video interviewing offers passive candidates a “nothing to lose” option. They get to choose when and where this interview will take place and they only have their own schedule to worry about.
Apply with LinkedIn
It doesn’t get more simple than the new “Apply with your LinkedIn” button that a lot of companies are starting to implement into their ATSs. Passive candidates aren’t afraid to walk away from an application process that ends up being a chore. The quicker and more user friendly your application process is, the more attractive it is to passive candidates. These people can afford to walk away.
Employer Brand PR Initiative
While they aren’t necessarily looking, they aren’t dead. They are still on social, they still recognize brands and notice strong presences in their space. If conveying a positive employer brand and facilitating a healthy company aren’t already a part of your marketing or PR strategies, they should be.
People notice these things about a company whether or not they are looking for a job. It’s all about attracting the right type of people, and those people quite often already have a job.
Know Their Online Hangouts
The passive candidates that are relevant and quality are a part of industry discussion. They are checking forums and posts. Find out where the non-job seeking quality talent is hangout online and get there. Establish a presence on these sites and engage. They certainly aren’t going to reach out to you, so get proactive about finding this jackpot talent pool.
“79% of working professionals around the world are considered
passive candidates. The other 21% are actively seeking a new job. In which group do you think the better talent is?”