Recruiting employees online is a whole different ballgame from traditional hiring methods. Instead of a newspaper audience, employers have thousands of Internet-savvy job seekers and passive applicants to choose from. Connecting with the right candidate requires a strategic approach to online recruiting, since it can be difficult to choose the right plan for your company. Here are a few tips to help you best use the Internet to increase your candidate pool.

1. Spruce up your "careers" Web page. Cambria Consulting Inc., a Boston-based firm specializing in HR management, identified seven crucial features for high-impact corporate "careers" Web pages. First, the careers link should be prominent on the corporate home page. Second, the page should be easy to navigate and provide interesting information about the corporate culture. Third, a “job-cart" function should allow candidates to research multiple openings and apply for them. Fourth, résumé builders should be available to help candidates present their backgrounds in ways that HR can analyze. Fifth, the page must have an up-to-date listing of job openings. Sixth, standard, easy-to-read job descriptions on the page should include all tasks and skills required. Lastly, the site should have a link to an HR representative – not just a phone number or mailing address – to give candidates an action item to pursue.