The Merit Systems Protection Board has recognized the National Institutes of Health for incorporating the Twitter social media platform into its recruitment efforts, and it says other agencies should take note.
According to MSPB, NIH, which needs to target a wide range of specialties, has come to rely on Twitter to post frequent and tailored messages that go beyond just alerting potential applicants of job openings.
It said NIH’s Twitter messages provide followers information about relevant HR news, benefits, work/life information, upcoming events such as career fairs and scientific presentations, and lesser known flexibilities such as their loan repayment program.
HR staff also uses a free Twitter add-on to truncate URLs and track information on who responds and how frequently.
Another add-on gives NIH the capability to schedule messages so they can be lined up ahead of time to save some effort.
NIH’s HR staff told MSPB that once an agency begins using social media that it’s crucial to remain committed to publishing interesting, timely and useful content, as well as proactively seeking out individuals who are likely to want the content.
The payoff for NIH is 1,400 followers on Twitter they can reach out to at any time: www.twitter.com/NIHforJobs
