The Hiring Tree: Core Principles to Attracting MORE Applicants in a Tough Market

2023 Annual
Attendees will learn the new 2022/23 rules that govern job boards & understand how to more effectively develop job ads to attract more applicants.

In this session we will cover the analogy of the Hiring Tree & discuss how the roots, trunk and branches of your hiring process will provide more applicants in any job market. The biggest challenge employers face is lower flow in the last 2 years, in part because they are doing what they have always done. They use job descriptions as their job ads, without realizing that this not only hurts them on the search-ability factor on job boards, but also scares away applicants during the process, which even leads to more ghosting issues than ever before. When you understand the core principles that govern job boards today & how to effectively write a job ad AND put it in the right order, you can increase applicant flow without throwing more money at the problem. The application process also plays a role in attracting or scaring applicants away (the trunk) and you will understand what is working and what NOT to do! If you are involved in any part of the hiring process, this session if for you!

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand Key Differences between Job Boards, Search Engines, Aggregators, and Social Media plus how algorithm changes and AI technology have impacted hiring strategies. You will be armed with ideas on how to strategically approach these channels when marketing roles for your organization in a more effective way.
  • Develop, implement and manage an effective employee referral program in a strategic way and understand how social media plays a part in this process. Understand how this strategy targets passive applicants, including new data that shows what is working and why.
  • Build out a sound understanding of the core elements of a job ad to gain more visibility and attract more qualified job seekers to your roles for active job seekers. We will be discussing strategic elements of a job ad that need to exist to give applicants a higher chance of finding your jobs.
  • Is ghosting a problem for your organization?  Also learn how to mitigate the ghosting issue by maintaining the right momentum in your hiring process.

In-person session offerings are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To view all event accessibility & accommodations details visit here.

If a speaker has provided session materials, please visit https://presentations.shrm.org

Date(s) & Time(s): 
Monday, June 12, 2023 - 7:30am to 8:30am
Presenter: 

Steven J. Smith

Steven J.
Smith

Steve will be the first to tell you that recruiting is marketing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Brigham Young University and started his career in recruiting in Feb 2005. In 2008, he took a risk during a recession to help start a new company with Ryan Kohler, called ApplicantPro, a full suite HR platform for small to mid-sized businesses. With 11,000 clients and close to 300 employees, ApplicantPro has made the Inc 5000 list 11 years in a row, Top Places to work in Utah 3 years in a row. ApplicantPro was also named an Indeed Platinum Partner in 2023, one of five companies in the country to receive this designation. Steve is SHRM-CP and PHR certified, and currently volunteers on the Utah SHRM State Council as the immediate past State Executive Director. His book, The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction, was released in early 2023, and has helped thousands of organizations across the country rethink the way they approach hiring. If you need help understanding the principles and role of SEO, marketing, and AI when it comes to attracting job seekers, Steve provides a solid framework for hiring.

Location: 
N257
Session Type: 
Concurrent Session
Competency: 
People (Technical)
Intended Audience: 
Mid-Level
Hide from On Demand: 
Availability: