IRS Recruits on YouTube

The Internal Revenue Service has become the latest agency to launch a new job search tool on YouTube aimed at recruiting veterans and recent college graduates. The new playlist, "Working at the IRS," showcases videos in which IRS employees discuss their jobs, the diversity of the IRS workforce and the culture of the agency. The YouTube effort coincides with the launch the IRS Careers website, which has more detailed information on job openings, how to apply for positions and information on the benefits of working at the IRS.

"Potential applicants can learn a lot from a job description," said IRS Chief Human Capital Officer James Falcone. "But showcasing our talented employees on YouTube gives applicants first-hand insight into whether or not they would be a good fit for a particular position."

In 2006, I wrote an article in National Journal about the Office of National Drug Control Policy becoming the first in government to turn to YouTube to promote its mission and message. The government has come a long way in using social media tools, but it could be doing a lot more when it comes to using the power of social media to recruit and retain the younger generation of workers, often at little to no cost. The key is empowering employees to serve as brand ambassadors for your agency and consistently evaluating the results of using such tools. Could your agency be doing better at using social media to promote its brand and recruit the next generation of federal workers?