Social Media Recruiting: The New Normal?

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The way that job candidates are recruited has been evolving for some time now with an increase in the use of online talent management apps. More job hunters are being required to apply online and the search process has become heavily dependent on internet searches for career opportunities. What’s more, organizations have become increasingly more aware of how their online presence can influence their ability to recruit the right talent for their teams. 

To that end, social media platforms have become an increasingly popular way to attract both active and passive candidates for open requisitions. A recent SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) poll of HR professionals found that over 30% of companies are targeting smartphone users to utilize mobile recruiting and 84% of companies are incorporating social media as part of their recruiting toolbox. The most significant reason cited for the use of social media-driven recruiting was to reach the passive candidates. A businessman marks a board about social networking, content and feedback

With sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, many organizations find they can reach far more candidates than they ever could have dreamed. With strategies like this, recruiters’ main task has become casting the widest net. 

Extended reach on social media can go a long way, but too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing. So, social media recruiting can easily become a battle of quantity vs. quality. While casting a much broader net, you also reach many underqualified job seekers.  

The ease of use of these social platforms encourages an increase in applicants, many of whom don’t meet the requirements for the positions they’re applying to. This can make the recruiting process even more cumbersome than before. To avoid getting lost in the social media masses, use this recruiting method in a way that targets the best without attracting the rest.  

Start by using precise recruiting campaigns that appeal specifically to the type of candidates you’re seeking. Even though the internet offers a multitude of options in reaching job seekers, not all are created equal and choosing the wrong one can negatively impact the image of your organization.   

If you would like more information about social media recruiting plans, please contact our office where we can help you determine what will work for your organization and how to best capture the talent pool you’re looking for.