Home » Blog » Is it a good idea to use Craigslist for recruiting and hiring?

Vigilant Blog

News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp

Nov 18, 2011

Is it a good idea to use Craigslist for recruiting and hiring?

A: Perhaps a better approach would be to post the job opening on Craigslist, but direct all applicants to your company website where they can fill out an online application. That way you’re gathering the same information from all candidates rather than the inconsistent information you may get through the resume solicitation process.

Finally, you should also ask yourself whether you’re getting the best candidates for a position by posting on Craigslist. Posting in a single location may make sense for an unskilled labor or temporary position, but is it the best place to locate your next electrician or accountant? If you’ve been posting online but coming up short on quality applicants, try reaching out to your local employment office to see if they have any ideas on where to post your job openings to optimize access to the right job seekers. This is an especially important step if you are a federal contractor because posting all open positions with the state is a requirement of your affirmative action plan, other than exempt executive jobs and jobs lasting three days or less.

Still have questions about whether posting on Craigslist is right for your company? Call your Vigilant staff representative for more discussion.

Q: We use Craigslist to post job openings and accept resumes. Are there any legal or practical risks involved with hiring people off Craigslist?

This website presents general information in nontechnical language. This information is not legal advice. Before applying this information to a specific management decision, consult legal counsel.
divider--carrot

Is My Company Eligible?

If you are a manufacturing or agriculture employer in Washington and committed to keeping your employees safe and working, you may be eligible for Vigilant's workers' compensation Retro or claims management programs. To see if you qualify fill out our release form now, or contact us.

Don’t Navigate Employment Issues On Your Own

Learn how Vigilant membership can help with your complex employment situations.
Scroll to Top