Social Networking and Recruiting

We all know that companies and recruiters are using social media more and more to find candidates for their open positions. I found an interesting study that looks at the usage of the big three networks (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter) by recruiters.

http://www.slideshare.net/BullhornReach/2012-social-recruiting-activity-report

As expected, recruiters are utilizing the social media sites more frequently. LinkedIn was found to drive the most job views and recruiters get 9 times more applications from LinkedIn for a job than Facebook or Twitter.

Twitter followers however, were more likely to apply for a job posting on Twitter and recruiters receive 3 times more applications per contact via Twitter than LinkedIn.

LinkedIn has a more 'professional' reputation than Facebook or Twitter, which accounts for its popularity in job searches, but the study does feel that Facebook and Twitter are under utilized for recruitment and that will likely change in the next year or two.

This study reminded me of a story I heard last week from a colleague who made an offer to a candidate to fill a high profile position and then rescinded the offer after seeing their 'unprofessional' posts and pictures on Facebook. But that is a whole other topic for discussion...