Instagram is not really designed to generate job applications, but these tips and tricks will help you tap into one of the biggest talent pools available.

We just learned this week that Instagram is now more popular than Snapchat among teenagers. It is perhaps the biggest talent pool available, with more than 500 million monthly active users, which dwarfs any audience you can reach on LinkedIn, Indeed or ZipRecruiter. In spite of this tremendous size, only a small fraction of employers use Instagram to hire. The platform is best known as the-place-where-you-post-pics-of-what-you-ate, not a destination for recruiters. Yet, some companies have figured out how to use this platform to hire for young talent.

The widest reach in the market

There are about 1 billion monthly active users on Instagram. Unlike job boards, which attract only active job seekers, Instagram attracts almost everyone and also collects billions of dollars in advertising.

Stand out from the crowd, especially with younger audiences

Millennials now make up the majority of the workforce. Their favorite platform is Instagram. To this day, you will find very little job advertising on Instagram, offering you an opportunity to raise awareness among untapped audiences and to differentiate yourself from the competition.

3 reasons why recruiters have been slow to get on Instagram

1. No call to action: Links on Instagram posts are not clickable which has made it traditionally difficult for businesses run direct marketing campaigns that generate leads.
2. No integration with recruitment software: Instagram does not have any integration with most recruitment and applicant tracking software.
3. Application processes not adapted to mobile users: Most employers are still stuck in their old ways, asking for candidates to email or upload resumes as part of their application process… But 99% of Instagram’s traffic is mobile, and most passive job seekers do not carry a resume on their mobile phone, so this process simply does not convert.

Note that none of these obstacles are insurmountable, far from it. In fact, here are 3 easy tips on how you can generate more leads via Instagram than you ever thought possible:

Tip #1: Take advantage of your business bio to generate leads

While links are not clickable on Instagram posts, you are allowed to post 1 URL on your business bio. To drive traffic to your career site or your recruitment chatbot, you can use the opportunity of every post to remind people that they can visit your business bio page with instructions on how to apply. For Talkpush users, we recommend listing your Facebook Messenger link so that whenever a candidate clicks on the link, they are redirected to Facebook Messenger to choose a job they like and complete the application process from there.

Tip #2: Post viral content that gets your audience’s attention

Instagram is a great place to talk about your employer brand beyond the job description. Job seekers want to discover content like team photos, inspirational quotes, etc. You can also increase the visibility of your posts via hashtags.

Tip #3: Generate Applications via Lead Ads

When setting up a Facebook ad campaign, you can run a campaign specifically for Instagram. Your Instagram posts can then include call-to-action buttons such as Apply Now or Message Us, making it easier for your followers to apply for a job or inquire about your company.

While most recruitment software do not have a direct integration with Facebook Lead Ads, some like Talkpush do, or you could also use a traditional CRM like Hubspot or Marketo to collect all those leads and pass them over to your recruiters.

In conclusion, Instagram, just like any other marketing platform, can be used for recruitment. It simply requires a little empathy towards your target audience: keep things easy for candidates, give them an easy way to apply from their mobile phone, and watch your talent pool grow!