Broadcast Messages are a powerful part of your recruiting arsenal at ClearanceJobs.com. You know ClearanceJobs is home to the most (and the best) cleared talent, but in today’s ultra competitive cleared recruiting environment, you need every advantage to connect with those candidates – and elicit a response.
Broadcast Messages keep you, and your company top of mind for cleared candidates. Your profile comes with a set number of Broadcast Messages. Looking for other tips to get the mileage out of your messages? Here are a few:
1. Apply a Filter (or 3!)
Did you know you don’t need to send your Broadcast Messages to every candidate in your network? You can filter by:
- Clearance Level
- Polygraph Level
- Career Level
- Location
- Industry
If you’re diligently sending Broadcast Messages but don’t feel like you’re getting a return, there’s a chance your messages are getting tuned out because you’re not sending them to the right audience. If you have a Broadcast Message about a TS/SCI position, make sure you’re only targeting your TS candidates. If you have a new contract in Georgia, only target candidates in that region in your announcement.
You did the hard work of setting up your pipeline. Let us do the hard work of keeping it warm, with the industry’s smartest candidate filtering options.
2. Include a Link
You can link to your company profile and recruiter profile, but you also have the option to type in your own link, to a specific job, company hiring page or contract announcement. Every Broadcast Message you send should have a link, and it should be the most targeted to the message. Don’t just send everybody to your careers page every time. The link should be relevant to your message and give candidates a way to dig deeper into your company.
3. Timing is everything.
Some recruiters report sending out messages a few times, getting little feedback, and then dropping them from their candidate engagement strategy. The problem with that is you might not be giving the messages enough time to really do their work.
“We are sending out Broadcast Messages every week during Happy Hour, said Connie Hudson, talent acquisition expert at American Operations Corporation. “We have gotten two hires so far, and we believe that the hires were because the broadcasts are keeping our name and needs in front of the candidates, letting them know who we are, and what we are looking for.”
Hudson noted you may not necessarily see a reply from a message, but they see a direct correlation between sending Broadcast Messages and an increase in traffic to their jobs. She finds the Tuesday happy hour (a time each week where recruiters can send two free Broadcast Messages) to be prime time to get in front of candidates.
“I am diligent about Happy Hour,” said Hudson. “My calendar is blocked off and everyone knows that’s my time set aside for ClearanceJobs.com.”
While it’s important to send messages often enough to connect with candidates, you also don’t want to overuse messages.
“I don’t like to leave large gaps, but I also don’t want to over spam, so I try to keep it relevant, concise, and brief information,” said Maria Whitney, senior recruiter at Smartronix, who notes she makes sure to send messages at least every quarter. When she doesn’t have a topic top of mind, she will send a message about something like updates to the company’s website, or recently awarded contracts.
Wondering what to include in your messages? Here are examples of messages that have resonated with ClearanceJobs.com candidates and lead directly to increased response.
ClearanceJobs Broadcast Message Examples:
Are you looking for a great opportunity? The company has substantial clearance sign-on bonuses and benefits and like no other! I am a Technical Recruiting Lead here at ClearanceJobs. Our client is looking for Building Technicians in Columbia, MD. [link]
Why it’s good: It speaks to benefits and sign on bonuses and also highlights the specific type of candidate who should apply, so the message can be sent using filters to only qualified applicants.
Software architect position in Aurora, CO. GORGEOUS work-place with great work-life balance (some telework) and GREAT pay. Long term contract. Great team and mission. [link]
Why it’s good: It’s direct (leads with the position title) but also includes some nuggets that may move a candidate to apply, including compensation, length of contract, and telework.
The Defense Contractor just won a $300 million hiring services contract with the Department of Homeland Security We’ll need qualified force protection officers, HR specialists, admins, and more. Border locations with great pay and benefits. Read the contract announcement. [link]
Why it’s good: If every Broadcast Message is a link to a job post, you’re not making the best use of them. Connecting with your talent pipeline means showing you’re an innovative employer, winning new contracts, and receiving industry accolades. Use Broadcast Messages to highlight big wins for your companies. And don’t forget to use filters to invite candidates to hiring events in their area.