There’s no denying that our beloved LinkedIn app will always be the number one go-to smartphone app for recruiters. However, introducing new apps to your social media recruitment strategy (or in this case, technically not-so-new ones) will always help you stay a step ahead of the competition.
So we thought we’d take a run through just a few smartphone apps that you probably already use on a daily basis, but didn’t know were also really effective tools for recruiting candidates.

4 Smartphone Apps for Recruiting Candidates

1. Pinterest

If you already have the Pinterest app on your phone, it’s more likely you’ll be using it to lose yourself in a never-ending maze of baking recipes, new hair-do ideas and DIY hacks than you will be looking for jobs. But this is precisely why it’s a great app for attracting new talent! Pinterest users spend an average of 14.2 minutes per session on the app, making it an ideal platform to post eye-catching, well-designed images with info on new roles you’re recruiting for.

The key to using Pinterest for recruitment effectively is to make it as easy as possible for a candidate to click through to your website from that Pinterest card, so they can gain more details on the role and apply. Pinterest is all about aesthetics, so the worst thing you can do is publish a dull, corporate-looking ad, or one that’s badly designed. Remember your audience!

2. Reddit

We all know the key to sourcing the best talent is to follow candidates to whichever platforms they’re spending time on. And when it comes to super-niche or techy roles, Reddit is where the best candidates will be.

If you’re not already familiar with Reddit, it’s essentially just an enormous online forum for people to discuss all kinds of topics, which are separated into sections called ‘subreddits’. You’re sure to find subreddits dedicated to even the most niche of professions or roles (the more specialised, the better!) which makes Reddit the ideal platform to source in-demand talent. However, never go in with the hard sell on Reddit or no one will take you seriously. Take your time, make a valuable contribution to discussions and only when the time is right – reveal your recruiter identity to your perfect candidate.

3. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is great for keeping in touch with candidates who are already on your database, but what about those who aren’t on your database yet? The world’s favourite messenger app recently added new features that are set to make WhatsApp a vital addition to every social recruitment strategy. Firstly, you can now include a ‘send WhatsApp message’ button on any boosted Facebook posts so that potential candidates can enquire about a role with just a click of a button. Secondly, WhatsApp has just launched their WhatsApp for Business app, creating another platform where candidates can get in touch with your agency at any time.

4. Instagram

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Instagram isn’t really the place for recruitment, or for any business communications for that matter, but it might surprise you to learn that as much as 80% of Instagram users follow business accounts on Instagram nowadays.

And with the photo-based social platform currently boasting 17.2 million active users in the UK alone, that’s a serious opportunity for recruiters to exploit! Tactics for sourcing candidates on Instagram include using keyword hashtag targeting and sponsoring posts to reach followers of clients. You’ll be surprised how effective Instagram can be in attracting and connecting with new candidates!

So whilst LinkedIn and Facebook will always be great platforms for recruitment, it’s always worth exploring new ground when it comes to attracting new candidates. Not only will you be following candidates to new platforms where they’ll be spending a lot of their time, but you’ll be sourcing in a space where there’s less competition… for now!