Increasing My Comfort Level with Social Networking and Recruiting

Since Linkedin came out a few years ago, I jumped at the chance to engage with colleagues and network with HR professionals world wide. But I was somewhat reserved when it came to Twitter and other tools to get my thoughts out. Now things are getting easier and there are even more tools to help you streamline your activities.

I remember when I first signed up with Twitter last year. I started sending out a few tweets here and there. I started following a few folks that I knew of. But then all of a sudden I started getting all these people following me...and not even requesting to follow me, as you receive on Facebook and Linkedin. I felt completely invaded and that my thoughts were on full view to the world. Yikes! I also started reading some draw-backs to using Twitter, like the Cisco Fatty incident, and more. That really deterred me from using the site altogether.

But that's not typically my attitude to most things I don't understand. So I started to investigate more into the whole purpose behind twitter and what the benefits could be to my company's brand and my own personal brand as an HR professional. I started following HR bloggers such as Fistful of Talent, Punk Rock HR and HR Capitalist. I started this blog and was really active...but then got side tracked (by the way, I'm back and have more ideas on how I can blow this out more). I've learned the trick is to stay on top of all of these tools, sites and resources. It's constantly changing, getting upgraded or tossed. And I thought the leap from Beta to VHS to DVD was fast (lol)!

Last Friday, I attended a session, hosted by BCHRMA and the HR Tech Group's Recruitment SIG, on understanding social networking tools. It was led by Barbara Agostini from NAS Recruitment Communication. Barb simplified many of the social media sites out there today and revealed some great tricks to help get you started. Here are some of my take-a-ways:

• Great examples of career portals - Ernst & Young, Freddie Mac, Cisco, Best Buy, and local sites included - Elastic Path
• Facebook - largest increase in new users is over 50 yrs. old and largest group still curently using Facebook is 18-24 years old.
• Facebook advertising is a low cost and easy to manage method of posting new positions in your company. Plus you can track the amount of visitors to your posting.
• You Tube is ranked #5 as most used social media tools. Some companies have seen recruiting success, like Cisco and their recruitment videos.
• Linkedin also offers advertisement spots (on top of your inbox and down the right hand margin). This site might be better suited for the "professional" roles you need in your company.
• I just added the Linkedin Toolbar for Outlook, based on Barb's advice. It's a great time-savings and you can easily add people to your network without having to login to Linkedin every time.
• For more understanding on how to maximize the usage of Twitter, check out http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/
• Companies that are using Twitter well - RogersCareers and MunicipalJobs
• Tweet Deck helps you house all of the social network sites you are following
• Wink - allows you to see all of the sites your network is using

A couple of other tips - whatever your method, it needs to open up dialogue to your audience and needs to appeal to your end user.

I'm still learning and experimenting. Love to know what you think!