Boosting Gen Z Recruitment on TikTok: Key Strategies and Tips

Attracting and retaining top talent from the Gen Z workforce has become a critical challenge for employers across various industries. This generation, born between 1997 and 2012, represents a significant portion of the current and future workforce, and their preferences and expectations differ significantly from previous generations. 
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Gen Z hiring requires innovative recruitment strategies that resonate with their digital-native mindset. To effectively engage with Gen Z candidates, companies must adapt their recruitment strategies to align with communication channels preferred by this tech-savvy class. Among the multitude of social media platforms, TikTok has emerged as a powerful tool for connecting with this demographic due to its engaging, short-form video format and widespread popularity.

60% of TikTok users are Gen Zers. 

Why TikTok Appeals to Gen Z

TikTok's meteoric rise to prominence among Gen Z is attributed to several factors.

Algorithm-driven content delivery: users are constantly captivated by fresh and relevant content tailored to their interests. TikTok's sophisticated algorithm ensures that each user's feed is curated to their preferences, providing a seamless and engaging browsing experience. By delivering content that resonates with Gen Z's diverse interests and tastes, TikTok maintains its appeal as a go-to platform for entertainment and information.

Focus on values: TikTok's emphasis on creativity, transparency, and authenticity encourages users to showcase their unique talents, perspectives, and personalities authentically. This emphasis on genuine expression fosters a deeper connection between content creators and viewers, facilitating meaningful interactions and engagement. By aligning with Gen Z's values and preferences, TikTok establishes itself as a platform where users can express themselves freely and connect with like-minded individuals.

Sense of community: The platform fosters a vibrant sense of community among its users. It provides a space where Gen Z users can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or discrimination. Whether through participating in viral challenges, engaging with niche communities, or sharing personal stories, TikTok users feel a sense of belonging that strengthens user engagement and loyalty, making TikTok a valuable platform for brands and organizations looking to connect with Gen Z audiences.

Key Strategies for Using TikTok in Recruitment

Leverage Employee Brand Ambassadors

Empower your current Gen Z employees to become brand ambassadors, tapping into Gen Z recruiting trends. By encouraging them to share their experiences, highlight company culture, and provide an insider's perspective on what it's like to work for your organization, you can create authentic and relatable content that resonates with potential candidates. Gen Z candidates value transparency and authenticity, and storytelling by employees humanizes the recruitment process, making it more appealing and engaging.
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Create Engaging Content

Leverage the platform's creative features to craft engaging job advertisements capturing the attention of Gen Z, who prefer short, visually appealing, and entertaining content. Experiment with trending challenges, music, and effects to make your recruitment content stand out in users' feeds, in line with Gen Z hiring trends. Collaborating with influencers can also amplify your reach and credibility, as their endorsement can lend legitimacy to your organization's employer brand. Remember to keep the tone light-hearted and relatable to resonate with Gen Z's sense of humor and culture, ensuring that your content is not only informative but also entertaining.
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Utilize Targeted Advertising

TikTok's advertising platform offers various targeting options, including interest-based, demographic, and location-based targeting. By leveraging these tools, you can ensure that your job postings and recruitment videos reach the most relevant Gen Z audience segments. Targeting based on interests and demographics allows you to tailor your recruitment efforts to specific groups within the Gen Z demographic, maximizing the impact of your advertising campaigns. Additionally, location-based targeting can be particularly useful for reaching candidates in specific geographic regions where your organization has job openings.

After seeing an ad on TikTok, viewers trust the brand 41% more and are 31% more likely to be loyal to the brand.

Tips for Effective Communication on TikTok

Keep it Short and Snappy: Gen Z has a short attention span, so ensure your TikTok content is concise and to the point. Aim for videos that are 15 to 60 seconds long to maximize engagement and retention.
74% of Gen Z internet users use TikTok for search, and 51% favor it over Google, primarily due to its short-form video format.

Embrace Authenticity: Gen Z values honesty and transparency, so strive for authenticity in your communication. Showcase your company's values, culture, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Avoid overly polished or scripted content, as Gen Z can quickly identify inauthenticity.
39% and 38% of TikTok users favoring reviews and personal anecdotes, respectively.

 
Encourage Engagement: TikTok thrives on user engagement and interaction. Encourage two-way communication by actively responding to comments and messages on your TikTok videos. So Gen Z candidates will share their experiences, and participate in challenges or campaigns related to your recruitment efforts. Respond promptly and foster a sense of community around your brand.
59% of Gen Z like/comment on a video after viewing content on TikTok

Stay Current: TikTok trends and viral challenges evolve rapidly. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and incorporate popular hashtags and sounds into your content. This increases the discoverability of your videos and enhances their chances of going viral within the platform's community.
The #jobsearch hashtag on TikTok has a colossal 4bn views, and #CareerTok has nearly 2bn views.
90% of TikTok users think sound is vital for the TikTok user experience.

Challenges and Considerations

While TikTok presents exciting opportunities for Gen Z recruiting, it also comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. Privacy concerns, brand reputation risks, and maintaining a consistent brand voice across diverse content creators are some of the issues organizations need to address when leveraging TikTok for recruitment purposes. Additionally, measuring the effectiveness of your TikTok recruitment efforts and ensuring compliance with relevant employment laws and regulations is paramount to avoid legal pitfalls.

Conclusion

Incorporating TikTok into your recruitment strategy can be a game-changer when hiring Generation Z. The platform's viral nature enables content to reach millions of users within hours, providing unparalleled exposure for recruitment efforts. However, success on TikTok requires a deep understanding of Gen Z's preferences and behaviors, as well as a willingness to adapt and experiment with new approaches. By following the key strategies and tips outlined above, organizations can boost their Gen Z recruitment efforts and secure top talent for the future.