What Is A Targeted Group For Job Opportunities?
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What Is A Targeted Group For Job Opportunities?

Date: 09/23/2024 | Written By: Aneeb Ahmad
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Highlights

  1. Targeted recruiting focuses on attracting candidates with specific skills or backgrounds, improving hiring efficiency.

  2. It helps companies build expertise diversity, and represent various social groups.

  3. Targeted recruitment lowers hiring costs by narrowing the applicant pool and attracting long-term candidates.

  4. It boosts employee engagement, reduces turnover, and enhances brand reputation in specific areas.

  5. A well-crafted recruitment strategy involves research, tailored messages, and using niche job boards for better results.

When looking for a job, you might think that applying to many jobs at once will boost your chances of getting noticed. But that’s not always the case. It’s easy to quickly click “apply” on every job post on Yulys. However, this approach can lessen your chances because some job listings might be fake.

Are you wondering how to find the right group of people for specific job opportunities? Targeting the right audience can make a big difference in connecting employers with the most suitable candidates. 

In this blog post, we’ll explain “what a targeted group for job opportunities is”, why it matters, and how both job seekers and employers can benefit from focusing on the right audience.

What is Targeted Recruiting?

So, what is a targeted group for job opportunities?

Targeted recruiting is when a company focuses on reaching a specific group of people for its job openings. These candidates could have special skills, live in certain locations, have disabilities, or belong to underrepresented groups (like women, LGBTQ+, or Hispanic communities).

The main goals of targeted recruiting are to:

  • Build expertise in certain areas.

  • Attract more qualified candidates, especially for tough-to-fill roles.

  • Make sure the company represents different parts of society.

  • Lower the cost of hiring.

   What is a Targeted Recruitment Strategy? 

A targeted recruitment strategy is a plan to promote job openings in places where candidates with specific skills or backgrounds will see them. This strategy uses data to track success and aims to find the right candidates efficiently. 

It focuses on posting jobs where target candidates live, work, or spend time online. To save time and stay within legal guidelines, some companies use employment staffing services or agencies that specialize in targeted recruitment.

How Targeted Recruitment Benefits Over Open Recruitment?

Now that you know what a targeted group is for job opportunities, let’s talk about its benefits.

Targeted recruitment is more efficient and makes your hiring budget go further. It focuses on pre-qualified applicants, which saves time and money compared to sorting through many unqualified candidates. It also helps build your brand in specific areas, whether that's based on location or industry.

Plus, targeted recruitment can lead to a stronger, more diverse workforce. This can:

  • Boost employee morale

  • Increase engagement

  • Lower turnover rates

  • Show support for local communities

  • Reflect the organization’s commitment to diversity

On the other hand, open recruitment means hiring people regardless of their background, skills, or experience. This approach can include individuals with criminal records, those who have been homeless, or people lacking work experience.

Open recruitment aims to give people often overlooked a chance at jobs that don’t need specific skills. Its benefits go beyond just widening the applicant pool. Other advantages are:

  • Better diversity

  • Improved retention, as these employees value the opportunity

  • Faster hiring with fewer screening steps

  • Support for local communities

However, open recruitment may require more investment in training and development since work experience and skills aren’t the focus.

Example of Targeted Recruitment

Pay-for-performance is an example of targeted recruitment. Businesses only pay when a qualified person applies for a job. Instead of paying for time-based ads, companies can use this method to set specific recruitment goals. This helps them focus their budget on results, adjust strategies as needed, and track their return on investment (ROI).

How Does Targeted Recruitment Lower the Cost per Hire?

Targeted recruitment lowers hiring costs by narrowing the applicant pool and speeding up the process. It also saves money by attracting high-quality candidates who are more likely to stay with the company long-term.

Here are three common hiring expenses:

  • Recruitment costs: For example, hiring an $8-per-hour employee can cost around $3,500.

  • Training costs: In 2019, companies spent an average of $1,286 per employee on training, with each worker spending about 42 hours.

  • Turnover costs: It often takes over six months to recoup the cost of hiring a new mid-level manager. If the employee leaves before then, the company loses that investment and has to start over.

Targeted recruitment helps cut down on these costs by focusing on hiring candidates who are likely to stay longer and be more engaged.

7 Steps to Create a Targeted Recruitment Strategy

Building a strong targeted recruitment strategy is essential for attracting high-quality candidates suited to specific roles. Here are seven key steps to help you create an effective strategy:

1. Conduct the Right Research

Start by gathering the necessary information to build detailed candidate personas. Conduct interviews with stakeholders, including your hiring managers and team members, to understand what you're looking for in an ideal candidate. Key questions to ask include:

  • What is our target demographic?

  • How much experience should candidates have?

  • What qualifications are necessary?

Also, talk to your team to get insights into what motivates and makes them successful in their roles. This will help shape a clear picture of the ideal candidate.

2. Build Candidate Personas

Once your research is complete, develop candidate personas. These profiles represent a combination of your current candidates' and ideal hires' characteristics. Personas help you tailor your recruitment strategy and craft more engaging job descriptions. Continually refine your personas based on feedback and data from your hiring efforts.

3. Set Clear Recruitment Goals

Determine what you aim to achieve with your recruitment efforts. Are you trying to diversify your workforce, fill hard-to-hire positions, or attract candidates with niche skills? Defining your goals will help shape your recruitment messages and allow you to measure success effectively.

4. Develop a Targeted Recruitment Plan

Create a structured recruitment plan. Decide on the best channels for advertising, whether niche job boards or industry-specific platforms. Allocate your recruitment budget wisely, factoring in costs for job ads and any skills testing tools you'll use. 

Additionally, consider incorporating your company's branding and perks into job descriptions to attract the right candidates.

5. Craft Tailored Candidate Messages

Your recruitment messages, including job descriptions, company videos, and blog posts, should be customized for your target audience. Ensure your messaging highlights your company’s values, culture, and what makes you a desirable employer. 

Moreover, targeted and consistent communication will help you engage active and passive candidates.

6. Be Specific in Job Descriptions

Targeted recruitment requires clarity. Clearly state the years of experience, specific skills, and qualifications you seek. Being precise with your requirements ensures you attract candidates who closely match the role, which saves time and improves the quality of your applications.

7. Utilize Niche Job Boards

Post job listings on niche job boards like Yulys, specializing in your industry. Yulys helps you attract candidates with the specific skills and qualifications you’re seeking and reduces competition from more general job platforms. 

Summary

Understanding what a targeted group is for job opportunities is crucial for optimizing your recruitment efforts. Targeted recruiting enhances the hiring process's efficiency and aligns your workforce with your company’s strategic goals. Moreover, implementing a well-defined targeted recruitment strategy helps attract qualified candidates, reduces hiring costs, and promotes a diverse and engaged workforce.