Why Recruiters Trying To figure Out Social Media Should Engage With Social Media Practitioners

OK, so that comment may seem a bit odd to make but for some reason this logic has not been found by many of my colleagues.

Many in my industry say that Social Media is ineffective, a time waster, a distraction and that more people can be found by the phone.

To that I say BS.

I have always had more of a farming or relationship based model of recruiting so Social Media is easy for me to grasp. Participate, share information, make friends, introduce friends, talk about news, etc is easy for me. That and I think in an industry where we work with people as intensely as we do this makes sense.

But some say “prove to me it works” or “how many placements have you made from Social Media”. I love that last question particularly in this economy.

The question should be “As best you can figure out, how much of your revenue comes from Social Media and related activities” I can answer that easily, around 35%.

It is hard to know exactly where a referral comes from or how it originated three steps ago, if someone saw a post from an RSS feed about a speaking engagement or if some friend on Twitter said give Paul a call. I do ask but it can be really hard to trace besides, I know it works and I would rather work on this new thing than analyze how it happened.

I find it really odd, hilarious to be blunt, that recruiters say Social Media does not work. Really?

Maybe not for you but what is the issue here, the way you use it or Social Media as a possible tool?

If you are struggling with the Social Media concept and think that I am full of crap (or other recruiters who have been trying to share their experiences) get involved with folks who do Social Media (PR/Marketing folks too when appropriate) for a living.

Get involved with a group like I have the Social Media Breakfast Minneapolis St. Paul. I get in a room of recruiters and feel like a professor but when in a room like we were in last week at the breakfast I feel like I am starting my senior year in college. Take what you hear and translate it to Recruiter and HR speak.

Follow Social Media, PR, Marketing folks to see what they do, links they suggest, find projects they work on.

Or as some have suggested stay away until you know it works. That’s good for me, less competition.

Last item, I find it ironic when a Recruiter says that using Social Media is a waste off time through a Social Media tool.

Comments

[Scott Boren]

It is different, thats all. You have to commit some amount of time to learn to use any new tool/application/etc. Good advice.

[Erik Hare]

Social media is still evolving. Is it perfect? Of course not! Is it effective? It is if you spend some time learning how to use it.

More interesting is that as it evolves, those of us who have been there from the start will know a lot more than those who are scrambling to get up to speed.

I've gotten some work from social media, so I can't complain. Anyone who says it's not worth the time didn't have their mortgage paid by their time and effort on social media!

[Chernee Vitello]

Excellent post, recruiters that are not leveraging this medium do not understand the way teh market is going. I rely more on social media for my recruiting than ever before, that is where my hires come from. It is worth the time and effort.

[Jeff Lipschultz]

Like any new tool, you need to learn how to use it to appreciate it. No one should judge too quickly. I certainly have expanded my network leveraging these tools and have met many recruiters who have been helpful in showing me the benefits. See #talentnet in Twitter search. And there are many others on SM who share tricks and tips (@BooleanBlackbelt). Good post!

[Amanda Sesslar]

Thanks for the note about the social media breakfasts. I'm excited to see one in my area (Cincy). I think this will be a great way to expand my thinking on how Social Media can be utilized more fully.