You don't have to be a whiz to hire great people or find a great job. This site is about recruiting made simple. Find who you are looking for with tips from a whiz!
If you’re job searching, you’ve learned that it’s a much different process these days than it was even just three years ago. One of the major changes is that your online presence may have a significant impact on your ability to find and be selected for a job. Applicants are adding websites like LinkedIn and Facebook to their resumes, so some employers proactively check these sites to learn more about their potential candidates – even if you didn’t include them on YOUR resume. What are your online profiles saying about you as a potential employee?
Here are a few REALLY important things to keep in mind when reviewing your online profiles and preparing for a job search:
1. Watch your language. Don’t use foul language or speak negatively about former employers/employees/bosses. Assume that anything you post online is public information and could be seen by anyone. If you wouldn’t say it out-loud to the person you respect the most or a future employer, don’t say it online. Think about how what you say might be interpreted by a future boss – does it make it sound like you are late or miss work frequently? Or do you sound like you enjoy being successful?
2. Monitor your profiles. Consider removing the option for your Facebook friends to post messages on your Wall. They can still send you private emails and/or leave comments on your posts. This is especially handy if you have a Facebook friend who tends to leave a little more info than really needs to be widely known. Otherwise, monitor your profiles frequently and quickly delete any comments or notes which are inappropriate for public viewing.
3. Consider your audience. Use various social media sites appropriately, based on the most likely audience. Keep your LinkedIn profile strictly professional. It’s not necessary to post your birthday and special interests on that site. Facebook and Twitter are better places to discuss that new fiction book you’re reading or what you’re doing in your spare time that isn’t work-related.
I’m not encouraging people to hide who they really are from employers. Online profiles are a great place to showcase your unique qualities and interests, but consider how future employers may perceive your information. These profiles are an extension of who you are and they may “meet” a future employer before you do!
I am EXCITED about the jobs, candidates and company cultures that are growing in our economy today!
We’re seeing more clients who are getting ahead of the curve by asking us to reach out to passive candidates (employed people who would consider a new job but aren’t actively looking). When I call a potential candidate they usually say that they’d be interested in hearing about new jobs and are willing to transition. Companies like Zappos are masters at engaging with customers in new ways through social media like Twitter and Facebook.
This is an exciting time for recruiting and hiring and finding a new job! People seem less fearful of bad things happening and more interested participating in making good things happen. Competition is fierce, but creativity is high and it is an exciting time to be working.
What steps have you or your company taken to move your business forward? What are you doing to attract top talent that is now willing to transition to forward-thinking organizations?
Hi! I'm Jessica. I believe that recruiting (when done correctly) is about creativity, minimizing limitations and applying new methods to make the whole hiring & job search process a little more efficient for everyone. In this blog, I will focus on recruiting and how HR, jobseekers and recruiters can make the hiring process a little smoother – and maybe a little more fun!
