How to Use a QR Code for Recruiting People

The huge advantage and opportunity of using QR codes for recruiting is limitless.

QR codes were invented to support mobile users, something the recruiting community hasn’t invested a great deal of time in despite the widespread usage of smartphones.

Because many smartphone users are never more than a few feet from their almost-always-on device, mobile will become the platform of choice for recruiting activity.

The application to read a QR Code comes pre-installed on most smartphone devices, and there are many free apps for users with a device not pre-installed with one.

QR code for job recruitment is an opportunity

Potential candidates could be on the subway, reading the paper, or walking down the street, and with the push of a button, be immediately taken to follow-up information or a job application.

If your recruiting effort aims to showcase your firm’s innovation or technology use, using these codes might help reinforce that message.

QR codes can dramatically increase the value and usefulness of print ads, billboards, posters, business cards, and brochures.

Because college students are particularly mobile phone dependent, QR codes should be embedded in all aspects of college recruiting.

These QR codes for recruiting are also a powerful tool because they easily enable effective tracking analytics that can identify sources and usage rates. 

As a recruiter, QR code data tracking will help you monitor the number of scans and how people are interacting with your QR codes.

Moreover, QR codes can be produced for free, and because they are so small, they will save space and advertising costs.

By integrating these codes with recruitment software, you can efficiently collect and analyze data on candidate engagement, improving your overall recruitment strategy. 

These codes can also be used for non-recruiting purposes, including check-ins, and to provide employee, vendor, and customer information.

“Like a picture, a QR code can replace a thousand words.”

Ways to use QR codes for recruiting people for a job application

There are literally dozens of ways to use QR codes for job applications and to provide recruiting information to prospects and candidates. 

Some of them include:

1. Newspaper or Magazine ads

Adding a QR code for job sites together with your copy would make it easier for job hunters to get more follow-up information.

With just a square space, you have maximized all the costs you’ve paid for the ad placement in the newspaper or magazine. 

People will scan the QR code and apply it.

Related: QR Codes in Magazines: 7 Ways You Can Use Them

2. Social Media & Blogs

Have your company’s graphic designer design a “call for hiring” image with a QR code.

These social media photos, like newspapers or magazines, are too small to fit complete information.

You wouldn’t want to compromise the design of your social media graphics just so you could get the right applicant.

This QR code for recruitment, which you can place on these job posting images, is useful in providing detailed job posting or follow-up information without taking up a lot of space in the design.

3. QR code for recruiting through Referral cards

When potential job applicants walk in with a request to apply, send them home with a referral card using a vCard QR code.

With smartphone scanners, they can instantly be taken to the application site and schedule the proper interview slot.

This process is efficient for HR and also helps to rationalize the overwhelming tasks that recruitment managers face.

4. Wall posters or stickers

Even on places like bulletin boards and poles (given the right permits).

Encourage users to learn how to scan a QR code for job applications by looking for places where potential hires might be lurking, such as coffee shops or restaurants.

Ask for your job posting to be posted on their board, and add a QR code for recruitment to your design to make sure they get all the details they need. 

5. Billboards, signages, or vehicles

QR can work even when the QR code is scanned from a distance.

If your potential hire is just right across a moving vehicle or huge signage, they could quickly scan your QR code and get more information immediately.

Forget about writing down the job information; with just one scan, they can get redirected to the job portal or even use a QR code on resume letters to include in emails.

6. QR code for recruiting in career fairs and college events

Career fairs are no doubt crowded and filled with students hoping to get the chance to land their dream job.

With the limited staff, you can place on these booths, you need to make sure all interested applicants are accommodated properly.

With QR codes right on the booth or stands, applicants won’t need to wait in line just to ask for an application form or ask a question.

Students can get access to additional information in an instant.  

Related: QR Code Types: 16+ Primary QR Code Solutions

7. In-text messages 

Let’s talk about automation!

People who sign up for SMS or text blasts can get more information with QR codes.

The QR codes can be attached to text messages as a picture.

8. Job alerts or calendar events

Individuals can sign up for specific job alert notifications, and calendar items can be easily saved on a phone’s calendar.

9. QR code for recruiting through Direct mail

Direct mail is not dead. A lot of companies still send direct mail to aspiring students or subscribed individuals.

Adding a QR code directly on paper can add a digital touch to such traditional methods.

10. In slides

Take advantage of these talks and make sure you get interested applicants to apply.

Adding a QR code at the end of your slide with the call for interested applicants can be a great way to bring results out of your pro-bono activities.

The QR code can redirect you to more detailed information on the job.

11. Invitations

They can be used to invite people to join talent communities and participate in contests or events.

12. In retail outlets, trade shows, or on product packaging

Let’s talk about people who already are customers of your company!

Adding a QR code with a call to action of “Scan to apply” can be your key to getting applicants who know everything about your brand.

13. Bus cards or name tags

They can provide instant detailed information about your company. Knowing your company site would make it easier for interested people to visit your careers page.

14. On t-shirts

They help send a message that your firm is “cool” (Google used them), especially when you’re hiring younger generations.

15. On resumes

Who says you can only use a QR code for recruiting? You can also use QR codes even if you’re on the other side of the table!

Applicants can place a QR code on job application letters and a QR code on resumes to show work samples. 

16. Scan a QR code to apply online

Online, you can also use and share QR codes that, when scanned, take job seekers directly to a URL or landing page where they can apply for a job that has been posted online.

The solution is called a URL QR code that converts a link to a QR.

The QR code can be shared on LinkedIn, Facebook, website, and any other online platform.

17. Portfolio QR code for job application 

QR codes for job applications can be useful for applicants to make a direct connection with their potential employers. 

Applicants can embed their online portfolio, a link to their LinkedIn account, or a document presentation of their past works in a QR code. 

And if you want to use this technology within the company, such as sharing recruitment files among departments, you can use a QR code password generator to secure the documents.

Companies taking job recruitment to a whole new level with QR codes

Using QR codes for employee recruitment is not just an idea. Companies are actually using them to make application and hiring processes easy and convenient for both employers and applicants. 

Blackbridge

Blackbridge Communications is a London-based advertising agency that made a big impact on TK Maxx's recruitment campaign in Germany by adding a QR code to its print materials.

In partnership with Grapevine in Munich and with the use of the brand-trusted QR code software, QR TIGER, Blackbridge successfully implemented the ads at TK Maxx's stores across Europe that drew the attention of the locals to apply.

The QR code leads users to the brand's official website's career page, where they can browse for job openings and directly submit their applications.

Skechers

It's not the first time that companies have relied on QR TIGER QR codes to facilitate job recruitment. The footwear giant Skechers employed QR codes in one of its recruitment drives in New Mexico.

The QR codes direct scanners to the brand's Career page, where they can access comprehensive descriptions of local job openings and employee benefits and track their application status.

Aside from placing them in print collaterals, the recruiters also included individual QR codes for each job position on their LinkedIn posts. 

By using QR codes, Skechers' recruitment team was able to gather more applications and find the best talents that could help grow the brand even more. 

QR code for recruiting: Making the recruitment process easier

Although QR codes are not the end-all-be-all solution, they are certainly a huge advantage for a quick, effective, and flexible way to re-energize and make your non-internet recruiting information approaches more efficient.

These codes are particularly effective because they support mobile audiences and allow individuals to act when they are most excited.

Soon, QR Codes will be as common as embedded hyperlinks that are only effective within electronic messages.

You can test the efficiency and effectiveness of QR codes for providing contact information by using your smartphone camera to take a picture of the example at the top of this article, or you can generate your own QR codes using a free QR code generator online.