A recent study by Society for Human Resource Management points
towards a very interesting trend, use of social media by recruiters. It has
been long known that recruiters have started using social media as part of the
search and check in the hiring process. Although, it was vague as to what
extent social media has integrated itself with it. The study, based on previous
data comparing it with usage statistics from as back as 2011, shows an
increasing prominence of the channels for recruitment.
However, the catch lies with the way and reason they are being
used. With many reliable channels available, the depth social media provides,
however unreliable, does seem like a good method to evaluate a person. But to
what extent does the evaluation be based on it is dependent on recruiter's
individual criterions. However, social media activities do give a very precise
evaluation of the following properties of an individual's profile, possible
reasons for use:
· Background
and Information Check: Most people on
social media are actively providing information which can be used to check for
latest information on a candidate, in cases when acquired profiles are
significantly old. Similarly, background information can also be acquired
easily by navigating between connected and engaged profiles in a very short
expanse of time.
· Reach
and Brand Value Addition:
With a lot of industries integrating digital technologies with them and a lot
more dealing with direct consumer products/services, it has become a practice
to hire individuals with strong social profiles. Association with brands
imparts two-way value to both, optimizing it through social media. A quick look
at the posts and activities and the engagement provides a pretty accurate idea
of an individual's value addition when hired.
· Network
and Contacts: Another addition to
look for, recruiters have started using social media to expand their respective
organization's network through employees, and vice versa. Certain lines and
profiles demand intense networking and thus, candidates can be weighed upon
their social media networks, though only partially.
Separately, a very prominent reason behind the use of
social media apart from above is the talent hunt for Passive Candidates, ones
who are not actively looking for a job or not at all but may just be open for a
good offer. Especially on the managerial front, such candidates are best found
on the passive side of the talent pool, not necessarily social media though.
With these in mind, how can one go about being active through social media and enhance their chances of being
hired or offered jobs? In short, how to keep your social media
profiles industry relevant and impressive.
· Share relevant content relating to your industry and
keep the relevance high and simple. Keeping pace with news and presenting
opinions is one way to impress employers visiting your profile. Also, it
projects sincerity towards the profession itself.
· Connect to people at every level within and outside of
your industries. No profession is confined to a single industry, especially on
the higher managerial levels. Having a strong network is a sure-shot way to
point out that you are ready for the next step and for further.
· Engage your network, especially the professional one.
Being an ambassador is the first step towards being a brand ambassador.
Engagement is a basic side-effect of sharing great content, especially when it
is original. And being respectful and rational is the way of keeping it up.
· Personalize your profile to your natural plus professional
personality. Social networks are social spaces and thus, should reflect upon the
social you. Although, involvement in irrational and overtly useless activities
may just ruin things.
It is important to see that while social media activities have
moved towards entertainment and mostly, clashing opinions, keeping clear of
them in terms of involvement is always a good option. Because while all the
positives we project can boost the chances, it is the little negatives that can
greatly reduce the same. With digital world incepting itself in many aspects of
businesses along with social media, it is imperative to maintain the brand
reputation and that is one place it has high chances of making or breaking with
a wide and strong impact.
The recruitment industry is certainly adapting ways to search, evaluate, and hire candidates. Social
media has just turned out to be a pool of information that they intend to use.
The information, mostly unusable and inconsequential, is still vital. It is a
good practice to ask people to go through your profiles and review what kind of image it
creates, and for what its worth, make it worth hiring.