NAS Talent Talk

Recruiting Trend: QR Codes on Promotional Items

January 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm sarahwering Leave a comment

By Stephanie Hartman

It’s no secret that recruiters are always on the look out for new ideas that are innovative and creative to help attract top talent to their organizations. Many recruiters have used promotional products. And many recruiters are beginning to use QR codes. But have you ever thought of using them together?

What is a QR code? QR stands for “Quick Response.” It’s essentially a barcode, which, when read by a smartphone, links people directly to a mobile landing page.

So, have you ever considered placing a QR code on your promotional items? Think about your stash of giveaways – T-shirts, pens, notepads, coffee mugs, etc. Consider placing a QR code to your mobile career site on each of these items. The code will allow applicants the ability to quickly recall a job, save the job contact information or have a direct link to your company’s website. Since the QR code was placed on a tangible promotional product, it will not only give applicants quick and direct access to your company’s information, but it will also provide them with a useful item that can be used for an extended period of time.

Okay, so that might not be overly glamorous, but imagine this:

An attendee walks up to your table at a career fair. Based on her resume, she’s the type of talent you’re looking for. You’re speaking to her about an exciting career with your organization and before she walks away, you hand her a coffee mug to reinforce her perception of your organization. As she leaves your table, you remind her to scan the QR code on the mug for an in-depth look at what it’s like to work at your organization.

She gets home and sits down at the kitchen table to review her experience at the career fair. As she unpacks your mug from her bag, she scans the QR code. Suddenly, a video appears on her phone. It’s Sally from customer service. She’s sitting at a table, sipping coffee and explaining what she does during the day and how much she enjoys working for your organization.

At that moment, the conversation you had at the career fair table was confirmed by an employee in your organization. And the attendee feels like she knows your company. After all, she just had coffee with one of your employees…

Do I have you now? What other ideas might you use to combine QR codes and promotional products? I’d love to hear your ideas.

Stephanie Hartman is the Account Executive for the Premium Recognition Incentive Division for Employees (PRIDE).  She has been working to provide unique, innovative and effective promotional products for NAS Clients since 2001. You can contact her at shartman@nasrecruitment.com.

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