Tired of falling into the black hole after you apply for a job?
Maybe you’re overlooking the importance of social recruiting?
Corporate recruiters want you to reach out to them through social networks and engage in conversation through the talent communities they are building!
Get on a recruiter’s radar and WOW them:
Glassdoor recognized 10 Talent Warriors for being innovative and socially-savvy recruiters and HR professionals. These recruiters lead the pack in social recruiting – so what advice do they provide for job seekers on how to stand out and impress?
It’s as simple as reaching out:
These recruiters all agree that the best way to get on their radar is to connect with them.
The majority recommend sending an invitation through LinkedIn and recommend you included why you are interested in connecting. (Hint: this means you should know about the company and the job!)
Know what you have to offer:
Recruiters don’t have time to sift through your qualifications to figure out how you fit. It is your responsibility as a job seeker to connect the dots for them. Steve Fogerty, Recruiter for Adidas says:
“…show me you are a great fit for adidas Group! And do the heavy lifting; find roles that are a fit for you. Our jobs are posted, apply, then let me know why you are a great fit and I’ll pass it on to the right people. That simple!”
Engage in LinkedIn Groups and on Company Pages:
Instead of lurking in groups, or hoping you’ll get found on LinkedIn, show your knowledge, expertise and excitement for what you do. Recruiters actively monitor LinkedIn groups, keeping an eye out for potential talent. Job seekers that add to discussions, show thought leadership in their field, and have a clear message about how they can contribute to a company, stand out. Chris Hoyt, Global Talent Engagement & Marketing Leader, Pepsico says:
“Showing an interest and showcasing your expertise in a company LinkedIn group for example, lets recruiters see firsthand how you engage with others and certainly makes you easier to find!”
More creative interaction:
Kick your interaction and branding up a notch in order to stand out. Heed this tip from Carolyn Eisman Director, Employer Brand, Enterprise Rent-A-Car:
“While we get significant engagement through our social career platforms, we would love to see more candidates interact in a more innovative way, such as using hash tags, or presenting a more unique look at the skills they can bring to Enterprise.”
Some recruiters said they were wow-ed by links to online portfolios, infographic resumes, or resumes. These innovate tools offer you an opportunity to stand out as long as they do a great job of highlighting your marketable assets.
Social recruiting is about humanizing hiring:
Instead of being a nameless, faceless candidate in a sea of job seekers, you can differentiate yourself by interacting through social channels. This is the very reason recruiters are moving in this direction. They WANT to learn more about candidates in order fill their positions more quickly with people who are the right fit. Research the company and its people. Then use your research to build relationships with recruiters through their social channels.
