10 tips for optimizing your e-commerce recruitment strategy in 2020

Photo: Pixabay

Currently, it’s estimated that around 4.4 billion people use the internet worldwide, and the web shapes our approach to everything from how we buy our clothes to how we interact with our friends. Unsurprisingly, it has also revolutionized every aspect of the jobs market, including the way we search for jobs, apply for vacancies and vet candidates.

With more candidates searching for jobs in the e-commerce industry online than ever before, you need to fully optimize your e-commerce recruitment strategy immediately. In this post, we’ll discuss 10 ways you can do exactly that. However, before this, let’s take a detailed look at the importance of e-commerce in the era of digital and differences between e-commerce recruitment and physical recruitment.

The Importance of E-Commerce in the Era of Digital

In the era of digital, the stats surrounding e-commerce speak for themselves. For example:

• By the end of 2017, 55% of internet users were digital buyers

• Mobile e-commerce has grown by 300% in the last few years

• Amazon now holds more credit card details than any other company on earth

The Differences between E-Commerce Recruitment and Physical Recruitment

Photo: Pixabay

The advance of the internet age means it’s now easier than ever to do recruitment online; particularly as job seekers have gone mobile. Although there are several differences between e-commerce recruitment and physical recruitment, the process of conducting recruitment online holds several advantages, for example:

• It’s easier to reach a wider candidate pool by sharing information online

• The recruitment process is shorter, which ultimately means a higher ROI

• Sourcing, selecting and hiring candidates online is quicker than dealing with physical CVs and cover letters, so you can make decisions quickly

With this in mind, let’s look at 10 ways you can optimize your e-commerce recruitment process.

The Top 10 Key Strategy Tips When Recruiting for Digital Retail

1.    Identify Your Ideal Candidate

When it comes to e-commerce roles, the jobs market is highly competitive and good candidates are being snapped up quickly. So, before you begin advertising, build a candidate profile. This way, when you receive applications, you’ll be able to filter out the best candidates by experience and suitability.

2.    Create and Share Relevant Content

Once you’ve defined your ideal candidate, you need to use all forms of communication to target them. By speaking with a refined message, you’ll be able to proactively identify and engage with relevant candidates.

Things like salary reports, industry news and testimonials from your current employees can really show how your e-commerce operation is different to your competitors, so people are more likely to apply.

3.    Build a Brand and Display a Company Culture

As many as 80% of millennials are looking for a cultural fit when they change employment, so make sure all of your content (from your job adverts to your tweets) reflects you and your company’s values, so they can make an informed decision.

4.    Make Social Media Your Friend

A social media presence is a key online recruitment tool for businesses. Use your social media channels to publish informative posts and engage in discussions with candidates.

5.    Make the Most of Digital Tools to Target Candidates

By publishing your job advert through your social channels, you’ll attract candidates immediately. However, the right candidate may not have seen the message, so you should do your own outreach.

However, doing this process manually can cost you a lot of time and money, so consider using tools like the Lusha for LinkedIn extension, which can scan profiles for relevant contact information and help you engage with candidates in a personal way.

6.    Utilize UTM Technology

Once you’ve created your online recruitment content and outreached it, you need to track it. By adding a UTM code to your URL, you’ll be able to analyze your traffic to see where your candidates are hanging out. Then, you can target them there.

7.    Focus on the Selection Process

You need to keep your selection process as simple as you can for both candidates and recruiters. So, build a process that’s easy to navigate and be transparent at every step.

You should thoroughly vet all applications for experience and skills, provide a genuine insight into company culture and offer realistic interviews. If you make the process realistic and keep expectations clear, you’re more likely to end up with the right candidate.

8.    Be a ‘Secret Shopper’

Working in the retail industry, we’re all aware of the ‘secret shopper’ concept. So, why not bring this into your recruitment process?

Ask a couple of your employees to log on and follow the application process from start to finish. Then, ask them for their feedback on how they found it.

9.    Create Feedback Loops

One great way you can learn and grow as part of your online e-commerce recruitment strategy is to create feedback loops within the process.

So, at each stage, ask unsuccessful candidates what they think of your recruitment process. Then, meet as a team and discuss their comments.

10. Track, Measure, Review, Improve

As well as asking your candidates for feedback, you also need to measure your results. So, define your aims (like attracting higher-quality candidates or bolstering your brand) and then keep an eye on the data.

This will help you identify areas for improvement and things to work on for your next round of recruitment.

Follow these 10 top tips and you’ll drive your business to success. The jobs market is highly competitive at the moment but, by following these tips, you’ll have no problem attracting the right candidates for your e-commerce operation.