Recruitment Marketing
Attracting talent before they start looking
The job market has changed dramatically: qualified professionals are no longer simply “available” – they need to be targeted, convinced, and engaged emotionally. Recruitment marketing takes exactly this approach: potential candidates should get in touch with your company even before they actively start searching for a job. Find out how to do this and what role tools like Refline can play in the process.
HR Knowhow | Recruiting strategies | Vanessa Hunkeler-Bolliger

Was bedeutet Recruitment Marketing?

What Is Recruitment Marketing? In today's competitive job market, especially amid skill shortages, digital transformation, and demographic shifts, a new approach to recruiting is essential. Recruitment marketing involves leveraging traditional marketing tools and channels to attract new employees and build a strong Employer Brand. The goal is to raise awareness among potential candidates about your company and establish initial points of contact. Recruitment marketing focuses on the phase before the actual application and selection process. Instead of merely posting a job and waiting, modern recruiters ask:

  • How can we increase our visibility to suitable candidates? 
  • How can we present ourselves as attractive, credible, and convincing? 
  • How can we build relationships with potential talent before they actively seek new opportunities?

Recruitment Marketing Strategies

This approach involves developing and implementing specific measures for long-term talent acquisition. It includes selecting appropriate channels, targeted storytelling, and authentic communication of company values, tailored to the interests of the target audience. Typical objectives and actions include

  • Building an attractive employer brand 
  • Increasing reach through relevant channels 
  • Highlighting career opportunities 
  • Active sourcing of suitable talent 
  • Developing and maintaining a talent pool 
  • Targeted communication and relationship management with candidates

The focus is always on the question: How can your company be positioned as an attractive employer in the long term—before any applications are even received?

A central aspect is optimizing the candidate journey. All touchpoints with potential candidates—from the career page to initial contact—should be analyzed, designed, and continuously improved.

Distinguishing Recruitment Marketing from Personnel Marketing

Recruitment Marketing and Personnel marketing- pursue similar goals but differ in their focus and approach: Personnel marketing encompasses both internal and external measures for the long-term positioning as an attractive employer (Employer Branding). It is strategically oriented and targets the entire employer branding—from onboarding and employee retention to the development of corporate culture. 


Recruitment marketing, on the other hand, focuses more on external, often digital activities preceding an application process. It is more operational, campaign-oriented, and primarily aimed at visibility and reach among potential new talent. 

In short: Personnel marketing is the foundation—recruitment marketing is the visible campaign work on the surface.

Benefits of Recruitment Marketing

Especially in the war for talent, it is crucial not to wait until a position is vacant. Good recruitment marketing strategies enable early action—and also address talent who are (not yet) actively searching. Demographic change and the decline of traditional application paths make passive recruiting increasingly important. With well-thought-out recruitment marketing, you reach this hidden job market—and build a valuable talent pool. Another advantage: Recruitment marketing is more efficient than individual measures. Instead of relying on isolated postings, a continuous presence is created that builds trust and reach—with measurable added value for your recruiting.

How to implement Recruitment Marketing with Refline

Recruitment marketing requires perseverance, planning, and a clear strategy. It is not an ad-hoc measure but a long-term process. This is where Refline supports you as a professional applicant management system. Refline helps you design a convincing and authentic employer presence—digital, mobile, and target group-oriented. From the career page  to job subscriptions, from Kununu reviews to employer branding elements: You present your company where Generation Y and Z are—online. Refline also supports you in building your talent pool or efficiently managing postings, applications, and selection processes with smart, intuitive tools. You not only gain more overview but also save time: up to 70% of your administrative effort. You can directly invest this time—in building effective recruitment marketing strategies.

Conclusion: Recruitment marketing gives you the edge

Recruiters who invest in recruitment marketing today secure access to the best talent of tomorrow. However, those who stick to traditional processes and resist modern, marketing-oriented thinking will find it difficult to compete. Courage to explore new paths pays off. Refline will accompany you on your journey!