Utilizing Web 2.0 Tools to Augment Your Applicant Tracking System

With the multitude of Internet resources and hiring technology, professional recruiters can gain an edge when it comes to the hiring process – especially if you have a small or medium sized company. Companies that don’t have the vast amount of resources that big corporations do, may have some disadvantages in terms of human resources, but what they do have is more focus on their company. In other words, there aren’t too many cooks in the kitchen.

Small and medium sized business owners know their business better than anyone. They can analyze their own data with a discerning eye. Where some bigger corporations may hire on a data specialist to go through all of the company’s information with a fine-tooth comb, smaller business owners know all the ins and outs of their company so they know what works and what doesn’t.

The specific knowledge a small business owner has about their company works to their advantage and puts them ahead of the big guy. This is very relevant when it comes to the various avenues of recruitment technology. Larger companies may have a team of recruitment professionals handling the hiring process via recruiting software, but they are essentially messengers. They won’t have the instinct that the owner has about potential candidates. The smaller companies know exactly what they want and can cater recruiting software to meet their needs.

The infrastructure of the many recruitment software resources are becoming mainstream, but small business can make use of these with much more cost efficiency – and they don’t have to hire someone to do it. From application software to mobile hiring apps, they have complete control of what information goes out about their company and what candidates would work for them.

Using technology strategically will also help small companies win over the big guys. One way to do so is to create to have an effective SEO strategy. Create original, SEO-friendly content that is consistently posted on your website or blog using keywords. You can research key words by using tools such as the Google Keyword Tool. You can also create long tail keyword phrases that will be much more effective in gaining appropriate traffic that will eventually outrank the bigger competitors that may be vying for the same candidates.

Social media can play a huge role in creating a brand identity. Some bigger companies may have a “voice” but it is general – maybe too broad. By creating a Facebook profile or Twitter account and personally having direct involvement in it, there is a much more intimate connection with your audience. You have a specific personality and you are actually being social with your audience, you can attract the right candidate for the right job.

By cleverly using modern technology like an applicant tracking system and Web 2.0tools for recruiting, small and medium sized companies can easily create a strategy that can put them on the same level or even surpass huge corporations.