After several years of wait-and-see attitude from companies on the issue. The use of messaging platforms as a communication channel with customers is now a reality. For example, companies such as Dyson or Leroy Merlin provide part of their after-sales service on WhatsApp. Companies like Carrefour or Leclerc send their promotional catalogs directly. What if recruiting on WhatsApp was an opportunity for recruiters? We tell you everything!
Indeed, since the COVID 19 crisis, messaging (WhatsApp, Messenger, WeChat..) has become more than ever the preferred communication channel for consumers.
As a proof, messages on these platforms have an opening rate of about 98%, compared to 20% for emails. On average, it takes someone 90 minutes to respond to an email versus only 90 seconds for a message.
Recruiting on WhatsApp, an opportunity for HR departments
Despite this, the use of messaging platforms by recruitment teams is still too timid. However, it is one of the best opportunities of the moment to take advantage of.
The most used application in France, with 35 million monthly active users, 15 million of which are daily users. Recruiting on WhatsApp is the ideal platform to converse with your talents. It allows both inbound and outbound message management via a notification system.
To exist as a business on the platform, you will need to create a business page.
Recruiting Generation Y
Millennials are the largest generation of workforce today. It’s time to adopt new mobile-first recruiting methods that align with expectations.
For this generation, two-way communication is imperative. Whether it’s an offer for a new job or an online clothing order, it’s all about communication. Therefore, to attract top talent, HR departments must create interactive and immediate recruitment processes.
Emails are often lost, ignored or go unnoticed. SMS messages do not offer formats that are likely to engage candidates. In addition, it is increasingly difficult to reach them by phone.
Messaging platforms therefore meet two challenges: deliverability (open message) and engagement (application or not, in one click).
War for talent: not enough active candidates?
At a time when 70% of the global workforce is made up of passive candidates, only 30% are actively seeking employment. The question is, how do I successfully attract the hidden candidates who may be interested in my company?
You already have the solution!
One of your company’s most valuable assets is your CV library. It’s the sum total of all the candidates who have ever applied to your company. It is the legacy of your previous acquisition strategies and is a real gold mine that you must exploit.
Indeed, candidates who have already applied to you were seduced by an opportunity or by your employer brand. However, they don’t think about applying again. Change that!
Contact the right candidates on a platform they use.
Notify them on WhatsApp about the opportunities you have available. 98% of messages will be read within 30 minutes. This approach is extremely powerful if used properly.
You will need to design consistent campaigns by contacting only candidates that are relevant to your current opportunities.
Simplify your candidate experience!
Currently, the job market offers a large number of opportunities. Today, more than one million job offers are available on the Pôle Emploi and APEC websites. This context leads to an increase in investments in the candidate experience.
Remember that candidates who have a positive experience are more likely to recommend your company to their friends and colleagues. As a result, they will also form a better opinion of your products and services. On the other hand, those who have a negative experience are more likely to spread negative words on the web. And thus affect your HR and business e-reputation.
The candidate experience has become a key strategic and competitive element for the company.
Again, WhatsApp will allow you to deliver a great experience, at a lower cost. No technology investment on your career site or content redesign.
Your candidates already know the interface, you just have to make the effort to go to them.
Start sending WhatsApp messages to your candidates!
Contacting your candidates on WhatsApp does not make you less professional, on the contrary. With a WhatsApp business account, it’s the opposite. You position yourself as a modern company, available and responsive.
To summarize, here are the benefits for you as an employer:
- 98% of messages are opened within 2 hours
- 75% of the candidates contacted complete the courses
- more effective communication with candidates
- a high recall rate because the platform is not yet widely used by advertisers
Want to modernize your recruitment channels? Contact KMB Labs or Intuition Software to discuss.
