Social Recruiting – The Place For Finding A Job Is Online

By Mike Dunlop

The world of employment is a world of shifting trends, just like anything else. If you’re on the job hunt nowadays, then you may find that your Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn profile has more of an impact on your success than traditional job boards or employment agencies.  Recruiters are now actively using social media sites to find and screen employees. In effect they’re conducting a pre-interview virtual interview.

Sound confusing? Well that means that it’s time to learn some new rules for the modern world of job hunting. As if finding a job weren’t difficult enough already! The good news is that you can leverage your social media profiles to work in your favour, and if done well you’ll have more job searching power at your fingertips than ever before. Let’s take a look at the current state of play in the social recruiting space to help you get started.

Everything’s Going Social

Years ago, companies frequently used job boards to find new hires.  They would post a new job description on the job board, and then review all the applications that came flooding in.  However, in the last few years, particularly as the economy has worsened, but also as a result of the rise of the ubiquitous Internet, the flood has become a raging torrent.

It’s not unusual for a job opening to receive thousands of applications, which means that as an applicant it’s very easy to get lost amongst the noise. Most hiring managers don’t have the time to sift through every application they receive.

At the same time, social media sites like Facebook are evolving beyond their original design. Where once these sites used to be just tools for finding old classmates and making new friends, now they are used to create professional profiles and cultivate corporate images. This is of course especially prevalent on sites geared toward business networking, like LinkedIn.  In keeping with this trend, companies have begun to find that it is sometimes easier to head-hunt the applicants directly via their social media profiles, rather than open the application flood gates to the general population.

Be Careful What You Post!

It should come as no surprise that in addition to being used to find potential employees, social media sites are now also being used to screen and eliminate job candidates. What this means for you, is that you probably shouldn’t post pictures of wild drunken nights in Cancun, Ibiza, Bali, or any of the incriminating photo hotspots. In fact, from a job seeking perspective, it’s a good idea to not post anything that gives too much detail about your private life.

However, if you must post these sorts of photos, then make sure that your security settings are absolutely water tight, and don’t forget if that friend of a friend is actually your potential new boss!  Take this one step further –remember that the same rules apply once you’ve landed the job. It’s not unusual for people to be fired because of something found on their Facebook or MySpace page.

More Than Just Skills and Experience

When companies look for new hires, they’re not just looking for someone who has the skills to do the job.  They also want a good fit; they’re looking for a team player who shares their company’s values.

Social recruiting helps hiring managers find the people they need, because they can get an overall picture of who you are and not just what you can do.

What This Means For You

If you’re working on finding a job right now, use your social media profiles to help you search.  Contact possible employers and open a dialog.  Upload your resume, references, and portfolio so that recruiters can see it.  Maximize your chances of appearing in search results by having a complete, well developed, and up to date profile.

Make sure your profile shows you at your best – remember that you don’t want anything there that might turn them off.  Expand your network to include people who work at your employer of choice. Join in conversations, develop relationships and cultivate an appealing professional relationship.

Social media sites also allow you to find out more about a company before you apply with them.  Internet-savvy companies are now blogging on their Facebook or LinkedIn pages, which should provide you with some additional insight into the company values and type of day to day work activity.  You may also be able to find some commentary from previous employees or customers about the company on the web.

Has everyone had a positive experience with the company, or is the bulk of commentary exceedingly negative?  All of these sources of information should give you a better idea of what the company’s about, which is vitally important for the health of your career.

In summary, social recruiting has come of age. Companies are now reviewing social media profiles and incorporating them into their decision to hire or not hire, so use yours to your advantage.

Author Information

Mike Dunlop works for HirePulse, the home of premium contractors, consultants and freelancers.

Launching Your Own Business? Consider These Steps First!

Job loss continues to climb, despite the best efforts of politicians to curb the problem. Some analysts expect that unemployment will top 10% by the end of the year, a rate not seen since the early 1980s.

Unlike previous downturns, this one is likely to have long legs to it, especially for mid and later career workers who are discovering that their original career path has come to a dead end. For these people, they’ll have to retrain whether that means formal schooling or learning a new business.

Birthed Out Of A Recession

Do you have a bright idea to launch a new business? With so many workers rethinking their career plans, carefully cultivating your business plans is a must.

I launched my writing business in November 2002, when the New York City area was going through a downturn. That recession was localized, a direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 2001. Recovery came the following year, but by then I was already immersed in my new venture.

Since then, I’ve tweaked and refined my business, shedding those tasks that were poor money makers (or I was disinterested in) while acquiring new skills and clients. I have to say that I’m happy with what I do, but the work isn’t easy. Good thing I like working sixty hours a week because I can’t imagine myself holding down a job I hate even if that means “only” working forty hours each week.

Different Strokes For Different Folks

People ask me how they should get started with a business, but I know that there isn’t any “one size fits all” plan. However, over the past seven years I’ve picked up enough ideas so that I can confidently share with you what works for me including the following:

Work Your Passion – Never, ever start a business that doesn’t interest you. Why would you want to run a flower shop if you’re more interested in selling model cars? Sure, one job may “pay the bills” but I believe in the long run your passion will pay you more. Besides, if you have to work hard, why not work hard at doing what you love?

Plan Carefully – “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” John Steinbeck said that, I didn’t. But his statement is true. In any case, you still need to craft some sort of business plan outlining your ideas, listing your short term goals and what you need to do to help sustain your business for many years. While initial planning is an absolute necessity, tweaking your plans as you go along is essential.

Stick To A Budget – The “B” word or budget isn’t a favorite of many people, but it will help you survive for the long term. The percentage of business failures is quite high, but it could be much lower if small business operators stuck to a budget, regularly and carefully reviewing their income and expenses.

Smart Networking – Social networking is all the rage, a way to bring people together online. For internet based businesses this is a must, while brick and mortar shops would do better to concentrate on local networking first. Join the Chamber of Commerce, seek assistance from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), find a mentor, take a class, etc. After that, make sure that your online profile is known, joining LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to cultivate a wider network of contacts.

Ask For Help – When you’re immersed in a business, you can get overwhelmed by the many different responsibilities and problems that crop up. Your networking base can be tapped when you need advice or a friend consulted during those times when things seem like they are unraveling. There will be times when you need to give the business side of you a break, while you pursue activities that you enjoy (reading, exercise, lunch with a friend, travel, etc.). You may not be able to take a one or two week vacation just yet, but a few hours off here or there could be all of the refreshing that you need for the moment.

Managing Your Own Business

As I mentioned earlier, there is no “one size fits all” plan for running a small business, even if your business is operating the local franchise of an international food establishment. Guidelines can certainly help, but people, places and circumstances are frequently unique, requiring that you respond accordingly.

Years later I can attest that starting my business was the best step I’ve taken over the three decades that I’ve been working. I’m not likely to ever work full time for anyone ever again, but that is okay for me. I’ve tasted self employment and am perfectly happy to be my own boss — perhaps you would be too.

See Also — So, You Want To Be A Freelancer?