In the competitive UK job market, simply posting your job opening on a job board is no longer enough to stand out. While platforms like MyJobsi.co.uk are an essential part of any recruitment strategy, the most successful companies are the ones that think beyond the traditional methods. They understand that to attract the best talent, you have to meet candidates where they are—and that’s often not on a single website.
The modern job seeker, particularly in highly-skilled or niche sectors, is increasingly passive. They aren't actively scrolling through job listings; instead, they are engaged in online communities, consuming content, and following brands they admire. This means that to secure your next great hire, you need a multi-channel strategy that not only informs candidates about your opening but also excites them about your company.
This article will guide you through five creative and effective ways to advertise your UK job opening, building on your essential job board presence to ensure you reach the right people.
While LinkedIn remains the professional network of choice, limiting your social media recruitment to this single platform means you're missing out on a huge portion of the talent pool. Modern candidates, especially in creative, marketing, and tech roles, are highly active on other platforms.
Instagram and TikTok: These platforms are not just for consumer brands; they are powerful tools for employer branding. Instead of posting a static job advert, create short, engaging videos that give candidates an authentic peek behind the curtain. Film a “Day in the Life” video with a current employee, showcase your team celebrating a success, or do a quick tour of your office. This humanises your brand and helps potential hires envision themselves working for you. Use relevant hashtags like #UKJobs, #[YourIndustry]Jobs, and #WorkIn[YourCity] to increase visibility.
Facebook and X (formerly Twitter): Facebook remains a fantastic resource for local hiring and targeted advertising. You can run highly specific ad campaigns that target individuals in a particular geographical area with relevant skills and interests. X is excellent for fast-paced, direct communication. Use it to share job postings and engage with industry-specific conversations. If a candidate posts a question about a particular skill, a quick, helpful response from your company could be the first step in a recruitment journey.
The Golden Rule: Regardless of the platform, the key is to be authentic. Don't just post stock photos of smiling employees in a boardroom. Show the genuine culture, the challenges, and the rewards. This is what truly connects with candidates and encourages them to apply.
Your current employees are your best recruiters. They not only have a deep understanding of your company culture and the skills needed to succeed, but they also have professional networks that are likely filled with other talented individuals. An effective employee referral programme is one of the most cost-efficient and successful ways to find top talent.
The Benefits: Referred employees are statistically proven to stay in their roles longer, onboard faster, and be a better cultural fit. They come with a built-in endorsement from someone you already trust. This method also drastically reduces your recruitment costs, as you are not paying agency fees or extensive advertising costs.
Creating a Programme: To make it work, you need to offer a meaningful incentive. A £50 Amazon voucher won’t cut it. Consider a generous cash bonus (split into two payments—one upon hiring, the second after a successful probation period), an extra day of holiday, or a team lunch to celebrate the referral. Make the programme simple to use; a quick form or a dedicated email address where employees can submit referrals is often all that's needed.
Promote It Internally: The programme won't work if no one knows about it. Regularly remind your team about the scheme in internal newsletters, team meetings, and on your company intranet. Highlight success stories of past referrals to show its value.
Attracting talent isn't just about shouting your job openings from the rooftops; it's about making your company a place people want to work. Content marketing is the long-term strategy for building this powerful employer brand. By creating valuable and engaging content, you can establish your company as an authority in your field and a fantastic place to build a career.
Create "A Day in the Life" Blog Posts: Write detailed articles that walk candidates through the typical day of someone in the role you're hiring for. This is far more informative than a bullet-point job description and helps candidates self-select whether the role is right for them. Include pictures and quotes to make it feel real.
Showcase Your Team: Create a “Meet the Team” series on your company blog or social media. Feature different employees, highlighting their responsibilities, career paths, and what they love about working at your company. This builds a human connection with potential applicants and shows your commitment to your people.
Share Your Expertise: Publish blog posts, white papers, or case studies that demonstrate your company’s expertise. For example, a software company could publish an article on a new coding technique, or an engineering firm could share a case study of a recent project. This positions you as an industry leader and attracts passive talent who are already following industry trends and looking for their next challenge.
While general job boards cast a wide net, sometimes you need a targeted approach to catch a specific fish. Engaging with niche communities is a powerful way to find highly-skilled professionals who may not be on a traditional job hunt.
Professional Bodies and Groups: Most industries in the UK have a professional body, such as the CIPD for HR or the BCS for IT. These organisations often have their own job boards, newsletters, or exclusive events. Advertising through these channels means you are reaching a pre-qualified audience of dedicated professionals.
Online Forums and Specialised Groups: Websites like Reddit have numerous sub-forums (subreddits) dedicated to specific industries or cities (e.g., r/UKJobs, r/london, or specialised tech subreddits). By joining these communities and participating in discussions, you can build trust and subtly share relevant job openings. Remember to follow the community rules and avoid spamming; the goal is to be helpful, not just to advertise.
Virtual and In-Person Meetups: Post-pandemic, many industry meetups have shifted to a hybrid or virtual model. These are excellent places to network with potential candidates. By sponsoring an event or simply attending and engaging with other professionals, you can organically build relationships that can lead to fantastic hires down the line.
For building a long-term talent pipeline, it's crucial to connect with the next generation of professionals. Establishing partnerships with educational institutions and participating in apprenticeship schemes is a strategic way to find young, ambitious talent.
University Career Fairs: Attending career fairs at UK universities and colleges allows you to engage directly with students and graduates. This is an ideal setting to explain your company culture, discuss potential career paths, and collect CVs from ambitious, fresh talent.
Apprenticeship Programmes: The UK government strongly supports apprenticeships, and for good reason. They are an excellent way to train new talent in the specific skills your business needs. By offering an apprenticeship, you not only attract motivated individuals but also demonstrate your commitment to investing in people and contributing to the local community.
Guest Speaking and Workshops: Offer to give a guest lecture at a local university or run a workshop for a college course. This not only positions your company as an industry expert but also puts you in front of students who are actively looking for career opportunities and are keen to learn from professionals.
The UK job market is more competitive and dynamic than ever before. To succeed, companies must look beyond the job board and adopt a creative, multi-channel approach. While platforms like MyJobsi.co.uk provide the essential foundation for your recruitment efforts, it is by combining them with authentic social media content, a robust referral programme, strategic content marketing, and targeted community engagement that you will truly stand out.
By investing in these creative methods, you won't just be advertising a job; you’ll be building a powerful employer brand that attracts the best talent and sets you up for long-term success.
