As a best practice, I implemented in my Company the use of social media and videos to help with my recruiting effort.
When an applicant enlists and comes back from MEPS, I have the recruiter immediately sit down with the new Future Soldier and review this video so that as the commander, I can personally welcome him or her to the team and give him or her my contact information.
The video informs Future Soldiers what will be required of them while in the program. I instruct the Future Soldiers to post on their Facebook and Twitter pages the benefits they're receiving from the Army as well as the job they signed up for, so friends and family can see it. The goal is that this will bring in more prospects.
At the end of the video, I instruct the Future Soldiers to call me, at which time, I formally welcome them into the program and ask if they have any questions of me.
There are two goals for this video and social media usage; one, is to prevent Future Soldier losses by giving the Future Soldier a sense of belonging and helping them to understand that they are now a valuable member of my team and that the Army needs them. The second is to bring in referrals.
Prospects today have numerous friends on their pages that will see the benefits and opportunities that a person close to them received from the Army. I hope this practice continues to foster a caring attitude that ultimately leads to more applicants and less Future Soldier losses.
Since using this video, I've noticed that our FS losses are statistically lower than at this time
last year. Because Future Soldiers know what my expectations are, this lessens their doubt and uncertainty and makes it much easier for me to talk to them.
I love the fact that I get to talk to all of the applicants right after they enlist and give them a welcome/standards speech. I believe they are responding because they know the expectations and feel that they are now part of a team. I've had few losses since I started using this video and have already taken steps to create a better video, one that includes videos and music.
Hooah! Capt. Timothy Souza
Libertyville Recruiting Company
Chicago Recruiting Battalion
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