ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- While marketers tout social networking sites as another channel to better connect with members, it may be time for human resource departments to head online to recruit the cream of the crop.
According to a new Society of Human Resource Management report, "Online Technologies and Their Impact on Recruitment Strategies: Using Social Networking to Attract Talent," social networking sites are being used more frequently now as an HR tool than they were two years ago.
The study finds that social networking sites provide a unique method of allowing staffing professionals to source, contact and screen both active and passive job candidates.
The thinking is that since building relationships and networking has always been one of the best ways for staffing professionals to source job candidates and for job seekers to find jobs, tapping into social networking sites is another recruiting strategy that provides a mix of technology and the human element of relationships.
In general the sites are used prior to contacting the applicant for the first time, prior to an interview and before extending a formal offer to the applicant. The study also finds that while social networking sites are effective in recruiting applicants of all job levels, they are most effective for exempt, nonmanagement and middle management positions.
Among the reasons cited for turning to social networking, recruiting passive applicants who might not otherwise apply or be contacted by an organization; the ability to target applicants with a very specific skill set; the ability to target a specific job level to recruit or contact; and the opportunity to increase the employer brand and recognition topped the list.
The study also finds that the quality of applicants recruited form social networking sites is neither worse nor better than other recruiting methods. Here's a look at some other findings.
--mdigiovanni@cutimes.com
