Targeted Recruiting

What is targeted recruiting?

Targeted recruiting is a type of recruitment strategy in which an organization is more selective about who it markets its open positions to.

The four key purposes of targeted recruitment strategies are to:

• Gain organizational competency in a particular discipline
• Increase the number and quality of applicants, especially for difficult-to-fill positions
• Ensure the organization represents various segments of society
• Reduce the cost per hire

What is a targeted recruitment strategy?

A targeted recruiting strategy is a predetermined plan to advertise job openings in specific places using ways that can attract candidates with certain skills, experience, or characteristics.

A good, targeted recruitment strategy is very intentional with its goals and uses data to track ROIs. The strategy needs to market effectively to the ideal candidate.

It must also factor in where the target candidates live, work, and browse online. To be successful, targeted recruitment must include regularly posting and promoting current jobs to get potential candidates involved in the process right from the start.

To save time and money (and ensure compliance), some organizations prefer to hire a recruitment agency or use recruiting software that specializes in targeted hiring.

What are the benefits of targeted recruitment vs. open recruitment?

Targeted recruitment focuses spending on a narrower pool of applicants, rather than on a larger pool of applicants. Targeted recruitment can also build up a more skilled and diverse workforce, which can:

• Increase employee morale
• Raise employee engagement
• Lower the turnover rate

The purpose of open recruitment is to consider candidates who may be overlooked. The benefits of open recruitment include more than just opening the applicant pool to a wider audience. It can also:

• Improve diversity and value a variety of experience
• Increase employee retention
• Speed up the recruitment process

Is pay-for-performance an example of targeted recruitment?

No, pay-for-performance isn’t targeted recruitment. It’s a compensation strategy designed to incentivize employees to do their best work.

How can targeted hiring reduce cost per hire?

Targeted hiring can reduce cost per hire by making the pool of applicants smaller and saving time in the recruitment process. Hiring costs can vary significantly between companies. We’ve estimated the cost of hiring can start at $7,500—so a significant amount of budget that confirms the benefits of targeted hiring to get the best candidates through the door.

Three typical hiring expenses include:

• Recruitment costs
• Onboarding and training costs
• Turnover costs

Targeted recruiting reduces the costs of recruitment, onboarding, turnover, and training. It focuses on a smaller pool of high-quality candidates who, when hired, are more likely to be engaged and stay longer with their employer.