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Recruiting Through Social Networking Sites

Written by: Lisette Howlett

Article Overview: Social networking sites such as Facebook have really changed the way people interact with each other over the last few years. Many employers are now seeking to utilise these kinds of websites as a recruitment opportunity. Here’s how to do it right.

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Recruiting Through Social Networking Sites

Social networking (Facebook, Squidoo etc) is one of the newest ways in which to advertise.Recruiting through social networking sites can perhaps bring you great results in a short space of time, though it can be questionable seeing the amount of companies that are beginning to ban such sites from being accessed via company servers.

That aside, social networking and recruitment can work well together.Why?It could perhaps be the way the sites visitors are young and open to online marketing, and are regular visitors to such sites.

The new Human Resources trend is to advertise jobs on sites like Facebook, simply to enable them to target a good range of potential applicants and this could even take over the job boards for popularity alone.

Benefits of Recruiting through Social Networking

The superior technology alone is good enough reason to hire new employees through social networking sites.An alternative to traditional methods, like recruiting via printed media and even through recruitment websites, the networking sites can allow a business to target their recruitment campaign to various areas.

Cons of Social Network Recruitment

The drawbacks are apparent when you use social networking in the wrong way.Not having a good strategy in the first place can really undermine the work you have put in, with disappointing results. You also need to use the information intelligently since these are not recruitment or business boards, but social.

Top performers, as always, may be difficult to track down so even the most dedicated recruiter might find that efforts may not bring the results they had hoped for. Given the amount of publicity given to social networking sites as sources for recruitment more and more job seekers are creating profiles and hoping to be spotted. Thus the ability to stumble across top talent is balanced by the need to sift through a lot of details on a lot of individuals.

Decisions

Hopefully when you take up the chance to recruit in this kind of way you will not be swept off your feet by the hype - stay grounded.It is important to know and realise that your campaign still requires lots of input.You should actively be searching profiles for potential candidates as you would in the usual way.However, those candidate searches are made easier by these websites and you are able to contact them directly which cuts out any hassle you might have going via recruitment companies.

Job boards and larger recruitment agency websites may already be doing the work for you.As many companies are getting more involved with today's trends, you may find that they save you the time researching this new media - for a fee.Make sure this is a question you ask if you are serious about recruiting on Social media.

In the end, you make the decision on what is best for your company.Despite being seen as innovative and modern, recruitment through social networking is just as involved as other advertising media and needs the planning and input that comes with finding that top talent.

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Home > Human-Resources > Lisette Howlett > Recruiting Through Social Networking Sites
Article Tags: business boards, company servers, facebook, good enough reason, human resources, job seekers, jobs, marketing, network recruitment, popularity, profiles, publicity, recruiter, recruitment campaign, recruitment websites, short space, social networking sites, superior technology, top performers

About the Author: Lisette Howlett
RSS for Lisette's articles - Visit Lisette's website

Lisette Howlett has a unique range and breadth in HR and a track record of achievement spanning 15 years with global Human Resources in blue chip companies and 5 years in local government and the public sector. This includes extensive global HR project and content leadership and internal/external HR consulting covering UK, U.S., Switzerland, Europe, and Asia. Additionally Lisette is founder of HireScores.com a website which provides independent information and real life feedback on all aspects of recruitment – serving the needs of candidates, recruiters and hiring companies. She writes and presents on HR matters with particular emphasis on recruitment, recruitment effectiveness, integrated talent management, the people and organisation side of M&A, the role of HR, strategic HR and global HR.

Click here to visit Lisette's website
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Related Forum Posts
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: Tactics for Blog Traffic Re: Tactics for Blog Traffic - some more tips to drive traffic to blog or to promote a blog. Squidoo Lens Creation Hub Pages Creation Social Bookmarking (Digg, Delicious, Stumble, Reddit etc.) Be helpful in forums Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn etc.) syndication blog commenting (other blogs) Guest post
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - GT - thanks for the FYI - I'm not sure if we'll put a link back. Something to consider though! Trent - the new category is "Social Network and Media" which was put in to compliment the Online Businesses category that currently exists. Overall the new categories are: - Looking For, Networking and Events - Review My... - Social Network and Media - Brags and Rants These came as a result of Ringo doing research on other forums and thinking about what could be improved on ours to give a better experience for everyone. I hope you enjoy them! David, I'm looking forward to reading your Brag / Rant!
Re: Simple Idea - Great Advice. Re: Simple Idea - Great Advice. - What your success stories on Social Networking for more contacts and connections? Do you have any good business books to suggest? I love the idea of connecting and sharing with other entrepreneurs. Thank you for your input!
Re: Social Networking Site Endorsements Re: Social Networking Site Endorsements - You must be cautious in endorsing any one on Social Networking site. You must ony endorse people you are very familiar with. Endorsement people you don't know is not a good thing.


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