The Internet has become an invaluable tool for sourcing and recruiting qualified staff. The ease of posting employment openings, the relatively low cost of advertising and the speed of candidate response has many hiring managers devoting more time than ever before to recruiting online.

As with other tools, the Internet is not without its limitations as a means of attracting qualified candidates. For example, companies listing opportunities on major job boards may receive applications from a much wider geographic region – and sometimes less qualified applicants – requiring additional sorting and review. Firms are also noting that some candidates who post their resumes online may be more passive job seekers; they want to "test the waters" and wait for results, versus proactively applying for open positions.

If you are using the Internet in your recruiting efforts, here are some tips for increasing your success in locating candidates.

Make Your Company Website Candidate-Friendly

Are internal job opportunities easy to find? Can candidates apply online? What message do applicants receive once they have submitted their resumes? All of these factors play a role in how many job seekers visit your site and the type of first impression your company presents.

Answer the Question: What's unique about the position?

What exactly about this role is exciting and challenging? What type of person would be most likely to thrive in the company? And what innovative perks do you provide? Be sure to highlight these areas to attract applicants who would be the best fit for the position.

"Sell" the Company as well as the Position

Unless your firm is a household name, be sure to include a sentence or two describing your business. If your company has just celebrated a major milestone or received positive media coverage or industry recognition, briefly mention that as well. Differentiating your organization from the thousands of others recruiting online will help you build awareness.

Network on Industry Sites

Become familiar with websites representing professional associations in your field. Much like attending a networking event, these sites can provide valuable opportunities for broadening your reach in the business community and getting to know the group's members, many of whom may be qualified job candidates. Often these sites will post job openings for a nominal fee.

Familiarize Yourself with Recruiter Sites

Whereas major job boards guarantee you'll reach a wide spectrum of job seekers, recruiter sites can expose your employment openings to targeted candidates within your industry.

The web remains a key resource for reaching a range of candidates. As more job seekers take their search online, it's helpful to implement measures that enable your firm to cast a wider "Net."