In many cases, it’s a job candidate’s first introduction to the company. But many employers don’t give corporate recruiting sites the attention they deserve.

Even when applicants find a job some other way, odds are they’ll end up at your Web site to learn more. Here are seven key features that will improve your chances of hiring top talent through your company’s site:

1. Registration-free applications — The fewer hoops candidates have to jump through, the better. For every time a viewer needs to click a button or fill out a form, the chances they’ll leave the site without applying increase. Making candidates create a user name and password before sending a resume could hurt your chances of getting the most qualified applicants.
2. An easy-to-find link on the home page – Many companies make the mistake of burying hiring information in the “About Us” section of the corporate site. But putting a dedicated “Careers” toward the top of the home page will keep job seekers from getting lost and frustrated — and may even grab the attention of people browsing the site for other reasons.
3. A “Send this job to a friend” button — Users may find an open job that they aren’t qualified for — but they could know someone who is. Next to the “Apply” button, put a link that lets people e-mail a friend or colleague about the opportunity. Of course there’s no guarantee it’ll get to any good candidates, but you’re likely to get more pass-alongs if you make it easy.
4. Key contacts — Submitting an electronic application may be easiest for some candidates, but you should also tell them how to get in touch with an actual person to talk about job opportunities.
5. Alternatives to applying — A good chunk of the people who go to the site won’t be ready to apply or won’t be qualified for any job you have open at that moment. But they might be later, so don’t let them get away. Some companies offer a recruiting newsletter to periodically update interested folks on new opportunities. Others link to company-sponsored groups on social networking sites to keep them in touch.
   
6. Easy-to-find job postings — You don’t just want job seekers to see your open positions when they go to your site — they should also find them before they’ve even heard of your company. Using the right keywords on your site can help secure a top spot when candidates look for jobs on Google and other search engines.
7. Info about the hiring process — Many employers include key information such as details about orientation, what to expect on the first day and how long the interview process will take. That gives potential applicants a view of what their early days on the job will be like and makes them more comfortable about sending a resume and accepting an offer.
   

Tags: corporate Web page, recruiting site