The Printed Recruiting Guide is Not Dead
Recruitment today is all about clever social content, webinars, and video. With so much online, you might be tempted to ditch the old-fashioned printed recruiting guide. But if you have in-person recruiting events, I’m here to advocate for printed guides. That’s right, I said it: the printed recruiting guide is far from dead.
Here’s what is dead: a hastily put-together booklet with too much copy. The recruiting guides of today are selling your organization’s lifestyle. They are beautifully designed, thoughtfully written materials that candidates can grab from your booth and peruse at their leisure. They are easy to navigate and even integrate tech!
Candidates aren’t just looking for a job, they’re evaluating a future. They want to know who you are, what your culture feels like, what roles are available, and what benefits they’ll actually use.
So here’s how to make a recruiting guide with pages candidates will want to keep turning:
Make it an all-in-one reference. It’s how your guide will be used! A table of contents, smart formatting, and easily readable charts will make it a go-to resource. Imagine something they can have on their desk as they navigate the hiring process.
Visuals, visuals, visuals. Think of your guide as a magazine, not a book. The old cliche is true. Photos of your great organizational culture are worth thousands of words.
Include digital. Print and tech aren’t exclusive! QR codes can bring candidates to the specific pages on your website to learn more, or videos about the roles and hiring process.
Since you’re using QR codes or URLs to drive candidates to your website for more information, what content should you include? Not the technical stuff. Focus on what sets your organization apart. Your guide’s content should include:
What you offer. An introduction to your organization’s history, mission, and values.
Who you are looking for. An overview of the kind of roles you offer and what kinds of candidates you are looking for.
What sets you apart. Your unique benefits, like specialized training, workplace culture, and advancement opportunities.
How to get started. Instructions for getting started with a recruiter or hiring manager, and what candidates can expect from the hiring process.
There are also benefits to a digital version of your brochure. Recruiters have an easy PDF they can distribute as a starting point for interested candidates. Giving them 10-15 pages to flip through that hits your organization’s highlights is much less intimidating than a full website, but deeper than a one-pager.
When designed well, recruiting guides reflect how you’ll treat your people. A candidate who receives a well-designed, informative guide walks away with a better understanding of what your organization values and how they might fit into it.
Looking for a beautiful guide? Our team loves to bring organizations to life with creativity and vision!
