Instagram Recruiting Made Easy: Five Proven Tips for Small Businesses

By Catherine Rayner 

Everyone has advice about using Instagram for recruiting. There’s certainly no shortage! Most of it, however, is written for big companies or those with consistent hiring needs. If you’re running a small business, say under 100 people, that advice doesn’t always make sense.  You don’t need different Instagram pages or a big budget. What you do need is a simple, personalized approach that shows not only your customers but also potential candidates what it’s actually like to work with you. 

Small teams can make great hires just by tweaking their bios, posting a quick reel from a team lunch, or sharing an employee spotlight. The good news? Instagram can work for you too without becoming another full-time job. 

Below are five tips for using Instagram to recruit when you’re a small business or even just have occasional openings. 

1. Start with the Basics: Make your Current Profile Work for You 

You don’t need a separate careers account to make it work. It’s usually better to keep everything in one place, especially if you’re only hiring a handful of roles a year. 

Easy adjustments: 

• Add a line in your bio like “We’re hiring – join our team!” 

• Link directly to your open roles page on your website. 

• Create a Highlight called “Careers” to save posts about openings.  

• You can also create separate highlights for “Culture” and “Employee Spotlights.” 

2. Share Authentic Content 

People want a peek behind the curtain at the real deal, not staged photos. The great thing about being a small business is that authenticity comes naturally.  

Some ideas for authentic content: 

• Employee anniversaries, birthdays, or new-hire welcomes. 

• Quick reels of a team lunch, community event, or project milestone. 

• A “day in the life” video filmed by a team member. 

3. Use the Tools and Hashtags to Expand Reach 

Instagram has built-in features to help you show up consistently (and without overwhelming your team!). You don’t have to post daily. Even posting once a week is enough to stay visible. Also, don’t worry if your posts aren’t polished. Authentic content usually performs better anyways!  

Some ideas: 

• A “Story” announcing a new role with “link in bio” for details. 

• A “Reel” that features team testimonials or clips from team events. 

• An employee “takeover” where they share snippets from their workday. 

Include hashtags with those posts to reach the people most likely to apply: 

• If your company or role is based in a certain area (like Virginia Beach), include tailored hashtags like: #HiringInVirginiaBeach #757Jobs #VBTech 

• In addition to your role-specific tags, include real role titles: #MarketingAssistant #ExecutiveAssistant 

4. Focus on What Connects 

You don’t need full analytic reports to see what’s working. For small teams, just keep an eye on: 

• Which posts get the most likes, comments, or shares. 

• Which ones drive clicks to your careers page. 

• Which types of content spark conversations in your DMs. 

That’s enough to guide future posts. Lean into what is working and don’t waste time on what doesn’t. 

5. Make Employees Your Influencers 

Larger companies with bigger budgets may hire professional influencers, but for small businesses, your own team is the best voice you have. 

Encourage your team to: 

• Share why they enjoy working at your company. 

• Post photos from events or accomplishments and tag the business. 

Real voices from real people carry a lot of weight. When candidates see genuine posts, it gives them confidence in your culture (and a reason to want to join!). 

The Bottom Line 

At the end of the day, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. The most effective approach is to start small, keep it simple and show the human side of your team. As your company grows, you can always level up your strategy. But right now, your existing Instagram presence is more than enough. Consistency and authenticity go a long way! 

Are you using Instagram as a recruiting tool? Share your stories (good, bad, or ugly) in the comments. 

Need more help? Check out additional tips and insights on our blog, website, LinkedIn, or just reach out. TalentRemedy is here to help you build a better hiring process, every step of the way. We support our clients with thoughtful, intentional interview strategies. We help uncover the real experiences and skills that candidates bring to the table. We ensure you make the best hire for both the role and your team. Reach out to us at info@talentremedy.com or 703-362-0175 to explore how we can streamline your recruiting process and help you find the right fit.