Finding great candidates to fill open positions can be challenging without the use of paid tools like LinkedIn Recruiter. However, there are still many effective ways to source qualified candidates at no cost by leveraging your existing network and getting creative with sourcing tactics.
Post on Your Company Careers Page and Website
The most obvious free sourcing option is to post the job description right on your own company’s careers page and website. This allows interested candidates to find you directly without needing extensive active sourcing efforts.
Tips for attracting candidates on your site:
- Write compelling, keyword-rich job descriptions emphasizing the appealing aspects of the role and company.
- Highlight your company’s culture, values, benefits, and career growth opportunities.
- Make sure the careers site is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.
- SEO optimize the page so it appears high in candidate searches.
- Enable job alerts so candidates can sign up to be notified of new openings.
Leverage Your Employee Referral Program
Employee referrals are one of the best sources of quality candidates. Encourage your staff to share job openings and make referrals from their own networks by:
- Offering referral bonuses or rewards for successful hires.
- Reminding employees of open roles and asking for help finding candidates.
- Making it simple for employees to submit referrals through an online form or portal.
- Requiring just a name and contact info for referrals, not full applications.
- Closing the feedback loop with employees when referrals turn into interviews or hires.
Promote on Social Media
Posting on your company’s social media accounts is another free yet effective way to get job openings in front of more potential candidates. Things to try:
- Write posts on LinkedIn showcasing your open positions.
- Create job preview images to share on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Run sponsored job ads on LinkedIn and Facebook to reach more passive candidates.
- Engage followers by asking for referrals and sharing employee testimonials.
- Join local community and industry-related Groups on LinkedIn to post openings.
Tap into Your Professional and Personal Networks
Leverage your professional and personal connections to let people know you are hiring. Methods include:
- Emailing former colleagues and classmates who may be qualified prospects or know referrals.
- Reaching out to past managers and mentors who have wide networks to tap.
- Telling friends, family members, and acquaintances you trust about openings.
- Attending local community and industry events to share opportunities.
- Joining professional Slack/Discord communities related to the role to post.
Search Resume Databases
Check large resume databases that candidates use to post their profiles publicly. Options include:
- Indeed Resume – 70 million resumes searchable by keyword and location.
- Monster Resume Database – Fast access to millions of resumes.
- CareerBuilder Resume Database – Paid subscription unlocks advanced search filters.
- Dice Resume Search – Tech-focused database with salary info.
Post on Job Boards
While candidates are less responsive to job board posts than other sources, they can still generate some interest at no cost. Some top free boards include:
- LinkedIn Jobs – Free basic job posting visible to wide audience.
- Indeed – Allows unlimited free postings and applicant tracking.
- ZipRecruiter – AI-driven matching to relevant candidates.
- Glassdoor – Also shares reviews of your workplace.
- Idealist – Nonprofit and cause-focused opportunities.
Search Talent Pools on Professional Platforms
Many professional platforms like Github and Dribble allow you to search member profiles and portfolios to find candidates with relevant skills and experience. Things to try:
- GitHub Jobs – View developers by language/skills and contact.
- Behance – Creative professional portfolios searchable by skillset.
- Dribbble – Designers and illustrators with example works.
- Kaggle – Data scientists share code, models, and techniques.
Attend Local Community, School, and Industry Events
Get out from behind your computer screen to source candidates directly at local community events, school networking functions, industry conventions, and professional association meetings. Tips for success:
- Set up a table or booth with company literature.
- Send team members who can share insider perspectives.
- Collect business cards and follow up with attendees afterward.
- Sponsor events to get visibility and build partnerships.
- Present on panels or host a workshop at the event.
Tap Campus Recruiting and Alumni Networks
Students and recent graduates are often eager, motivated candidates. Connect with them through:
- Alumni groups at schools your team attended.
- Campus recruiting events and college career fairs.
- Student clubs and organizations related to your industry.
- Partnerships with professors to guest lecture.
- Posting openings in campus career centers.
Search Educational Institution Resume Books
Many colleges and universities publish resume books and job prospectuses that aggregate student and alumni profiles. Request a copy through career services.
Advertise in Local Community Spaces
Get the word out creatively in your geographic community by posting help wanted ads and flyers in places like:
- Coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and community boards.
- Shared office spaces and co-working hubs.
- Community centers, places of worship, and nonprofit organizations.
- Gyms, recreational facilities, and other community hubs.
- Local newspapers, newsletters, and community blogs/websites.
Search Volunteer Sites for Skilled Contributors
People who generously volunteer their time and talents often make dedicated employees. Check sites like:
- VolunteerMatch
- Catchafire
- Idealist
- United Nations Volunteers
Post Freelance and Contract Gigs to Source Potential Full-Time Hires
Hiring contractors or freelancers for short-term projects can reveal standout talent you may want to bring on board full time. Post opportunities on sites like:
- Upwork
- FlexJobs
- Freelancer
- Toptal
- Guru
Conclusion
Sourcing quality talent without paid tools like LinkedIn Recruiter requires creativity, hustle, and tapping into your networks both online and offline. But by thoroughly leveraging free options like your company website, employee referrals, social media, job boards, professional platforms, community events, schools, and freelance sites, you can still build an effective hiring pipeline.
The most important thing is to get the word out far and wide about your open positions. Share them across all your networks and get your whole team involved. With persistence and creativity, you can connect with great candidates who will propel your company forward.
