The job market changes quickly, and traditional talent acquisition strategies frequently fail to meet the dynamic needs of a business. Enter: the talent community, a game-changing technique that uses interconnected talent pools to network and recruit. Let’s take a look at the advantages of joining and engaging in talent communities, how they work, and how they may help you transform your talent acquisition strategy. We'll also share actionable tips on how to properly engage with these communities.
What is a talent community?
While they can take a variety of forms, loosely speaking we’re talking about a network of professionals who share similar interests, skills, or industries. These communities foster participation, knowledge sharing, and networking among their members. Unlike traditional recruitment approaches, talent communities focus on developing long-term relationships with potential applicants rather than filling immediate vacancies.
LinkedIn data shows that referred candidates are 55% faster to hire, have higher retention rates, and can save you an average of $3,000 per hire.
The benefits of talent communities
- Access to a diverse talent pool: Talent communities bring together people with diverse origins, experiences, and skill sets. Businesses can find candidates who not only satisfy the technical requirements of a position, but also bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table.
- Proactive talent acquisition: Traditional recruitment is reactive by nature, often driven by current hiring needs. Talent communities support dedicated talent acquisition strategies, because you can nurture relationships with candidates long before a position opens up, it’s easy to develop a pipeline of ready-to-hire talent!
- Enhanced employer branding: Participating in talent communities can dramatically improve your employer brand. Engaging with potential candidates in a non-recruitment setting demonstrates your company's dedication to industry engagement and professional growth, increasing your organization's desirability.
- Improved candidate experience: Engaging in talent communities can improve the candidate experience. Candidates appreciate when companies take the time to create relationships and understand their career goals, which leads to a more positive view of your organization.
- Knowledge sharing and industry insights: Talent communities are a great source of industry insights and trends. Keep your team up to date on the latest developments and best practices, all while supporting your talent acquisition strategy.
How talent communities work
Talent communities operate on a variety of platforms and styles, including online forums, social media groups, professional networks, and industry events. Yello's 2018 study of 700 college students and grads found that one in every three respondents who had already taken a job had also been part of a talent community.
Here a few significant ways you can participate in talent communities:
- Social Media Groups: LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social networking sites offer groups dedicated to specific sectors or professions, allowing members to interact and engage.
- Online Forums and Discussion Boards: Platforms such as Reddit, GitHub, and Stack Overflow have active communities where professionals can discuss industry trends, share information, and connect.
- Professional Networks: Websites such as PowerToFly, Glassdoor, and Indeed provide specialized venues for professionals to network, find employment opportunities, and interact with potential employers.
- Industry Events: Conferences, webinars, and virtual job fairs (such as PowerToFly's upcoming Virtual Job Fair) are wonderful ways to network and interact with top talent in your profession.
Tips for engaging with talent communities effectively
- Be authentic and genuine: Focus on developing genuine relationships and adding value to the community by sharing your thoughts, answering questions, and joining in debates.
- Create value-added content: Share industry news, thought-leadership articles, and useful resources. Engaging with the community can establish your organization as a knowledgeable and trustworthy asset to the community.
- Leverage polls and surveys: Participate in the community by creating polls or surveys on LinkedIn or other platforms. This not only gives you insightful data, but also promotes interaction and involvement!
- Participate in forums and Q&A sessions: Join relevant forums and actively participate in the Q&A section. This indicates your competence and willingness to assist others, which may attract prospective candidates.
- Collaborate: Share the love with other businesses or entities to organize events, webinars, or workshops. This both increases your reach and credibility in the community (with some added networking bonuses!)
- Highlight success stories: Share success stories and testimonials from employees recruited through talent communities, demonstrating the wins from your recruitment technique and it encourages others to participate.
Popular talent communities
Looking for a place to get started?
- PowerToFly: PowerToFly provides virtual job fairs, webinars, and community events, which provide countless networking and recruitment opportunities.
- LinkedIn Groups: LinkedIn hosts multiple professional groups from a variety of industries, making it an excellent venue for networking and engagement.
- GitHub: GitHub is well-known for its repository hosting service, but it also boasts an active developer community that works together on projects and exchanges knowledge.
- Reddit: With subreddits dedicated to various professions and sectors, Reddit provides a forum for profound discussions and knowledge sharing.
Action item: PowerToFly's virtual job fair
Ready to dive in? PowerToFly's Virtual Job Fair is a great example of how to use talent communities for recruitment. These fairs bring together companies and job seekers in a lively, interactive setting, where companies can promote their employer brand, interact with prospective employees, and even conduct preliminary interviews.
Benefits of participating in PowerToFly’s virtual job fair
- Brand visibility: Sponsoring or participating in the job fair increases your company's visibility and reputation in the community.
- Access to a targeted audience: PowerToFly's focus on diversity and equality in the workforce assures that you have access to a diversified and highly skilled talent pool.
- Networking opportunities: The virtual format enables smooth networking and engagement with potential employees from around the globe!
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
We still have some sponsorship opportunities for our upcoming Virtual Job Fair. This is a perfect chance for businesses wishing to leverage the potential of talent communities in their talent acquisition strategies.
Go forth, and find top talent!
Incorporating talent communities into your talent acquisition strategies can transform how you attract and hire top talent. As an added bonus, you’ll strengthen your employer brand and talent pipeline by fostering genuine relationships, offering valuable insights, and actively participating in these groups. Don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in events like PowerToFly's Virtual Job Fair and start leveraging the benefits of these powerful talent communities now.
By harnessing the power of talent communities, you can improve your recruitment strategies and stay connected to the finest and brightest in your industry.
