HRGuru

Nine Creative Tips for Poaching Talent

1. Target

After job-posting sites turned up few qualified candidates, Aliso Viejo (Calif.) video game startup Red 5 Studios handpicked about 100 dream candidates, spent time learning their backgrounds and interests from social networks and personal blogs, and airmailed each one a personalized iPod, complete with artistic packaging and a recorded message from CEO Mark Kern. More than 90 recipients responded to the pitch, three left their jobs to come on board, and many more potential hires discovered the company through word-of-mouth buzz generated by the search.