Making Social Networking Part of Your Recruiting Mix
November 11, 2008
Most of the marketing conferences I attend these days are heavily focused on social and/or professional networks. These online communities are places where you can do any number of things from share pictures and reminisce about college days to “meet” and interview potential employees. The two big sites out there in this space are Facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook prides itself on being a “social” network and LinkedIn is a “professional” network (don’t call it “social” when talking to their team).
And, at most of these conferences, someone on a panel or on the stage says this, “The lines have blurred between your social life and your work life.” In fact, I just said that on a panel a few weeks ago… Anyhow, it is true. If you are out there, you are out there. And, ultimately you control your destiny – as do those folks you are thinking about hiring.
You should absolutely be using FaceBook, MySpace and LinkedIn to gather information on those people you are thinking about hiring. These sites are a window into the personality of your prospective employees. And, it is all public based upon the individual’s security setting of choice. You may feel like you are snooping, but you aren’t. The fact is, the info is out there and you should use every bit you can find.
Social and professional networking has blossomed as part of the recruiting mix. To this end, we at CareerBuilder.com wanted to understand more clearly the power of the network. We currently have a great partnership with Facebook that enables us to help you target the right type of employee. In turn, we have learned much about the demographics of the Facebook user and what may appeal to them. CareerBuilder.com also built BrightFuse, a professional networking site for the masses. BrightFuse is a labor of love that turned into a great place to not only meet people and share interests but also network about job opportunities. Its relaxed atmosphere is more focused on the organic networking experience and not the high-powered, network-at-all-costs mentality.
Social and professional networking is not a fad. Whether it is BrightFuse, LinkedIn, Facebook, or any of the other networks that seem to pop up every day, you should be embracing social and professional networking in your recruiting mix. Generation Y has and if you are specifically looking for that generation, they live online. Give it a try. It is fun to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and find that next top [enter your desired job title] person.
And just to prove the point that this new form of networking is extremely easy, check out the sites where I currently house profiles (you may need to have an existing account to access info):
Intrigued? Want to learn if we have any shared acquaintances? Join my network or “friend me” as they say. You never know, we may have more in common than you think.
Need some extra help in regards to exactly what this whole social networking thing is? Check out this common craft video; Social Networking in Plain English.
- Categories: Employee Attraction, Employer Advice, Generational Hiring, Social Media, Technology
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