Ask the Expert
QUESTION:
We are still advertising our open positions in our center in the newspaper and have started putting them out on some websites, but are wondering what other options have been shown to be effective in attracting quality candidates. Any ideas? Thanks!
ANSWER:
While the most common way to advertise for call center positions is the traditional classified newspaper advertisement, you’ll be smart to expand your advertising beyond this fairly limited approach. Some possibilities include:
Job fairs
Many call centers participate at job fairs hosted by professional associations and community organizations. Job fairs can be used to acquaint the community with the call center operation and to provide an overview of the open positions and benefits of working for the call center. Since these events tend to attract multiple companies from the local area, keep in mind that you may be competing with others for qualified candidates. The other option is to hold your own event where you’ll have exclusive time with the candidates and the opportunity to show off your facility and benefits.
School placement programs
College recruiting is typically coordinated through a local college placement office with students invited to submit resumes and schedule interviews with the call center recruiters during a campus visit. When recruiting students, be sure to promote the students’ ability to grow and learn at the call center with potential for an advanced position in the center upon graduation.
Web postings
Posting on the Internet may be a good match since online job seekers tend to be more technologically literate and generally have at least moderate computer skills. Also, job seekers can submit resumes instantly at anytime day or night, seven days a week. The postings may also be much cheaper than placing a classified ad.
Employee referral program
Employee referrals probably represent one of the most reliable recruiting resources for your business. Employee referrals are generally successful since employees are much more likely to recommend a qualified candidate than one that would be likely to be a source of embarrassment for them. Employee referral programs usually include some type of reward or incentive for employees who recommend potential candidates, typically matched to candidates who are hired and stay with the company for a specified period of time. When an employee is rewarded for making a referral, a notice should be sent out to make sure others are made aware of the success of the program.
Outside recruiters
Depending on the position level of the call center employee, search firms or “head hunters”, employment agencies, and outside recruiters may also be utilized to recruit a qualified pool of candidates. These outside recruiting agencies fulfill the same basic functions as internal recruiters, with the exception that they recruit candidates for a fee.
An important factor to keep in mind when advertising for call center positions is that the best candidates for your center may be people that already have jobs and may not be reading the classifieds or attending job fairs. Part of an effective advertising program will include methods that get in front of qualified candidates currently working elsewhere. Some of these options may include:
Radio and television ads
Although more expensive than print advertising, radio and television spots can be very effective in getting the word out about available positions. Hearing a radio advertisement while driving to work, or seeing a television ad during the evening news will get the message in front of many people who aren’t actively searching.
Billboards and buildings
When trying to attract candidates that live in the area within a fairly close radius of the call center, billboard advertising can be very effective. And there are a variety of media that can serve as a billboard in addition to the traditional big signs along roadways. Message space can be rented on a bus, a city bench, the back of restaurant restroom doors, and so on. Many companies hang huge banners on their buildings announcing open positions.
Handbills and flyers
If trying to attract people that live and work in the neighborhood, then handbill advertising may work well. Putting handbills on cars at a mall or grocery store can get the message out to a large audience. (Just be sure to legal clearance from city or property owners.)
Event advertising
Companies that want to reach thousands of candidates in one attempt have found advertising at large sporting events to be effective, in the form of an ad in the game program or on the display board at halftime. Video advertising in the local movie theatre can be effective as well to get a message across to a captive audience.
Local community meetings
Depending upon the pool of candidates the call center is trying to attract, there may be other choices for advertising as well. For example, if the center is looking for part-time personnel, advertising at local PTA meetings or other community meetings may be an alternative.
Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Hiring fairs are held in all 50 states.
Good luck in your search for new candidates!