Comments on: Beyond the Hype: Making Social Networking Work http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/ Recruiting News, Recruiting Events, Recruiting Community, Social Recruiting Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:02:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Pandora’s Box: Appreciating the Challenges of Social Networking : ERE.net http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11844 Pandora’s Box: Appreciating the Challenges of Social Networking : ERE.net Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:02:33 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11844 [...] Some of the challenges were discussed in a previous article, but in general, the reasons why people join online social networks are fundamentally at odds with the needs of employers to use those networks to find talent, and in fact an employer’s efforts to tap those networks may threaten them. Research shows that people’s motivations for using social networks are 1) to support off-line networks — people they already know well, and 2) build social capital — improve their sense of well being, self-esteem. Research also suggests that low self-esteem correlates with higher levels of online social networking. [...] [...] Some of the challenges were discussed in a previous article, but in general, the reasons why people join online social networks are fundamentally at odds with the needs of employers to use those networks to find talent, and in fact an employer’s efforts to tap those networks may threaten them. Research shows that people’s motivations for using social networks are 1) to support off-line networks — people they already know well, and 2) build social capital — improve their sense of well being, self-esteem. Research also suggests that low self-esteem correlates with higher levels of online social networking. [...]

]]> By: MN Headhunter/Nerd Search http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11656 MN Headhunter/Nerd Search Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:53:08 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11656 <strong>Rant About “Experts” And “Gurus” Slinging Bull Shit...</strong> I have an issue and no doubt my readers/followers know I openly like to talk about them. And if I do not get things out of my head at an early stage they rattle around my head, get louder and...... Rant About “Experts” And “Gurus” Slinging Bull Shit…

I have an issue and no doubt my readers/followers know I openly like to talk about them. And if I do not get things out of my head at an early stage they rattle around my head, get louder and……

]]> By: Employers Use Internet To Test Job Candidates « The Seldom Seen Kid http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11650 Employers Use Internet To Test Job Candidates « The Seldom Seen Kid Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:38:37 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11650 [...] is true that you can’t determine a person’s suitability for a position purely on the way they portray themselves on the net, but it helps to provide a bigger picture of [...] [...] is true that you can’t determine a person’s suitability for a position purely on the way they portray themselves on the net, but it helps to provide a bigger picture of [...]

]]> By: Keith Halperin http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11620 Keith Halperin Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:44:32 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11620 A well-written, informative article. I fear that the hype will continue as long as there are slick hucksters ready to sell SNAs as yet another recruiting snake oil panacea to desperate and not-yet insolvent recruiters and their superiors who fail to recognize that in most cases they are futilely "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic" of the elimination, automation, or outsourcing of the majority of their duties. I suggest more value is to be had in teaching those recruiting skills and functions which are not susceptible to "the EAO Triple Play." Cheers, Keith "Not Yet Insolvent" Halperin A well-written, informative article. I fear that the hype will continue as long as there are slick hucksters ready to sell SNAs as yet another recruiting snake oil panacea to desperate and not-yet insolvent recruiters and their superiors who fail to recognize that in most cases they are futilely “rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic” of the elimination, automation, or outsourcing of the majority of their duties. I suggest more value is to be had in teaching those recruiting skills and functions
which are not susceptible to “the EAO Triple Play.”

Cheers,

Keith “Not Yet Insolvent” Halperin

]]> By: Robert Bialk http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11606 Robert Bialk Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:24:15 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11606 I think Facebook is great for leveraging a social community for friends.LinkedIn is a fantastic electronic rolodex.Who needs directory assistance any more? Where these great networks breakdown in Corporate America is they can really chew up more time than can ever be imagined. Too easy to get side tracked with who is traveling where and what a wonderful life all our friends have. They have a way of leading you down a path that you never intended to take. The first company that can deliver analytics on how much time their staff is spending and associated return on investment will make a lot of money. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpUBN0ZW8Mo&feature=channel_page I think Facebook is great for leveraging a social community for friends.LinkedIn is a fantastic electronic rolodex.Who needs directory assistance any more? Where these great networks breakdown in Corporate America is they can really chew up more time than can ever be imagined. Too easy to get side tracked with who is traveling where and what a wonderful life all our friends have. They have a way of leading you down a path that you never intended to take. The first company that can deliver analytics on how much time their staff is spending and associated return on investment will make a lot of money. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpUBN0ZW8Mo&feature=channel_page

]]> By: Ryan Chartrand http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11599 Ryan Chartrand Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:50:09 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11599 Are we really still talking about this? I thought everyone already got the memo that social networking isn't the end-all solution and is simply another branding and networking tool to add to the "recruiting toolbox." I feel bad for even repeating that line. Can we move on already to talking about new strategies to leverage social media/networking? Are we really still talking about this? I thought everyone already got the memo that social networking isn’t the end-all solution and is simply another branding and networking tool to add to the “recruiting toolbox.”

I feel bad for even repeating that line. Can we move on already to talking about new strategies to leverage social media/networking?

]]> By: Recruiting Animal http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11592 Recruiting Animal Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:20:29 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11592 Listen Raj, I'm a social media naysayer myself but I don't like the way you've thrown your studies around. "More dentists recommend Crest." That's what it sounds like to me. All you need is a white coat. Your studies didn't break social network use down by age. 15 year old girls are going to have different habits than 35 year old women. And once a social network becomes identified as a vehicle for business opportunities it might be recognized as a vehicle for job hunting by adults. I had Craig Fisher, Dave Graziano, JD Jason Davis and Karla Porter on the Recruiting Animal Show yesterday demonstrating the new hashtag culture on Twitter. The # is becoming a standard means of creating tags that can very easily connect you with a large number of like-minded people. I'm sure that there aren't many internal auditors on Twitter but I'll bet that it might be a good source of marketing people. Or that there's a good chance it might become one. You can access the show here if you are interested: http://cli.gs/PNs2JP -- you might want to listen to the 18 min edited version to get right down to the nitty gritty. Listen Raj,

I’m a social media naysayer myself but I don’t like the way you’ve thrown your studies around. “More dentists recommend Crest.” That’s what it sounds like to me. All you need is a white coat.

Your studies didn’t break social network use down by age. 15 year old girls are going to have different habits than 35 year old women.

And once a social network becomes identified as a vehicle for business opportunities it might be recognized as a vehicle for job hunting by adults.

I had Craig Fisher, Dave Graziano, JD Jason Davis and Karla Porter on the Recruiting Animal Show yesterday demonstrating the new hashtag culture on Twitter.

The # is becoming a standard means of creating tags that can very easily connect you with a large number of like-minded people.

I’m sure that there aren’t many internal auditors on Twitter but I’ll bet that it might be a good source of marketing people. Or that there’s a good chance it might become one.

You can access the show here if you are interested:
http://cli.gs/PNs2JP — you might want to listen to the 18 min edited version to get right down to the nitty gritty.

]]> By: Annalise Fratta http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11589 Annalise Fratta Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:44:21 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11589 Social networks are a great place to reinforce existing relationships along with building networks on a professional level. Social networking is an extension of our inherent human need to connect with others and supports levels of communications. However, face-to-face connections are still very important but social networks enable people to stay connected with family and friends easily. –Annalise http://www.ezanga.com Social networks are a great place to reinforce existing relationships along with building networks on a professional level. Social networking is an extension of our inherent human need to connect with others and supports levels of communications. However, face-to-face connections are still very important but social networks enable people to stay connected with family and friends easily. –Annalise http://www.ezanga.com

]]> By: Konstantinos Kasekas http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11586 Konstantinos Kasekas Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:11:20 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11586 I guess the real problem is that many recruiters have forgotten that social media are simply meant to be tools to supplement our traditional recruitment efforts. Facebook, MySpace, linkedin, are all great recruitment vehicles, when used correctly, and when one has set the proper expectations. Will any of these networks ever effectively replace traditional recruitment? No. Will they replace traditional "Sourcing" methodology? Not really, but, no one can deny that, when used properly, in a dedicated manner, that they can be very effective additions to our Recruitment toolbox. I guess the real problem is that many recruiters have forgotten that social media are simply meant to be tools to supplement our traditional recruitment efforts. Facebook, MySpace, linkedin, are all great recruitment vehicles, when used correctly, and when one has set the proper expectations. Will any of these networks ever effectively replace traditional recruitment? No. Will they replace traditional “Sourcing” methodology? Not really, but, no one can deny that, when used properly, in a dedicated manner, that they can be very effective additions to our Recruitment toolbox.

]]> By: Wayne Wauters http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11585 Wayne Wauters Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:26:11 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11585 Great article! I agree there is a great deal of hype behind the social networks and I have tried to use several in my recruitment efforts. I think that posting company videos on sites like Youtube and having company sites on the social networks is probably a good idea because there is so much hype behind the social networks as a recruitment tool, that I believe younger generations will go there to seek opportunities. That being said, the only sites I have really had success using as a recruitment tool are Linkedin and Zoominfo. I have found repeated success in finding passive candidates on both of these networks although; Zoominfo is more of a data warehouse than a network. A colleague called me the other day and asked, “OK, how do I use Linked in to find OT/PTs?” I told her that it would not be an automatic process. She said that she would schedule time so that I could help her understand how to use Linkedin. She did not call back. Using social networks for recruiting is like taking a slow boat to China. It is only one piece of the recruitment puzzle not the end all be all solution. I use networks to build up sort of a critical mass about the position for which I am recruiting. I contact professionals and post the jobs to the associated groups to which I belong. The idea being that maybe one of my contacts passes it along or someone who is interested will see it or a professional may see it and pass it along to a colleague. This has been my experience when I use social networks to find candidates. While social networks don’t generate vast numbers of candidates, for the most part they are a free way to get the word out. Since many hospitals are in the process of a RIF or in a hiring freeze and my company is still hiring, the networks have been particularly successful recently. Social Networking certainly is not the solution to a recruitment challenge. It is rather a part of the solution. Great article! I agree there is a great deal of hype behind the social networks and I have tried to use several in my recruitment efforts. I think that posting company videos on sites like Youtube and having company sites on the social networks is probably a good idea because there is so much hype behind the social networks as a recruitment tool, that I believe younger generations will go there to seek opportunities. That being said, the only sites I have really had success using as a recruitment tool are Linkedin and Zoominfo. I have found repeated success in finding passive candidates on both of these networks although; Zoominfo is more of a data warehouse than a network. A colleague called me the other day and asked, “OK, how do I use Linked in to find OT/PTs?” I told her that it would not be an automatic process. She said that she would schedule time so that I could help her understand how to use Linkedin. She did not call back. Using social networks for recruiting is like taking a slow boat to China. It is only one piece of the recruitment puzzle not the end all be all solution. I use networks to build up sort of a critical mass about the position for which I am recruiting. I contact professionals and post the jobs to the associated groups to which I belong. The idea being that maybe one of my contacts passes it along or someone who is interested will see it or a professional may see it and pass it along to a colleague. This has been my experience when I use social networks to find candidates. While social networks don’t generate vast numbers of candidates, for the most part they are a free way to get the word out. Since many hospitals are in the process of a RIF or in a hiring freeze and my company is still hiring, the networks have been particularly successful recently.

Social Networking certainly is not the solution to a recruitment challenge. It is rather a part of the solution.

]]> By: Jim Sullivan http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11584 Jim Sullivan Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:50:37 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11584 Good information and accurate. Like all tools, any effort expended on social networks, will produce some results. I tend to agree, that like any other program, you must put the effort in to get any results and those results may not be the "silver bullet" that you were hoping for when you started. The one thing that everyone still needs to keep in the forefront is that companies don't hire resumes or on line profiles - they hire people and until a real constructive dialog begins all you have is a piece of paper or a page view. Like Lynn said in her post - let's all get back to work! Good information and accurate. Like all tools, any effort expended on social networks, will produce some results. I tend to agree, that like any other program, you must put the effort in to get any results and those results may not be the “silver bullet” that you were hoping for when you started.

The one thing that everyone still needs to keep in the forefront is that companies don’t hire resumes or on line profiles – they hire people and until a real constructive dialog begins all you have is a piece of paper or a page view.

Like Lynn said in her post – let’s all get back to work!

]]> By: Dan Jessup http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11583 Dan Jessup Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:35:12 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11583 Excellent article, and very timely with how chic this concept is getting. Certainly, social networking sites will continue to gain recognition as strong components of talent acquisition. However I feel the practical expectations of their ROI will be branding (company, recruiter, AND available roles) along with referrals more than the sites being utilized for targeted candidate searches. Excellent article, and very timely with how chic this concept is getting. Certainly, social networking sites will continue to gain recognition as strong components of talent acquisition. However I feel the practical expectations of their ROI will be branding (company, recruiter, AND available roles) along with referrals more than the sites being utilized for targeted candidate searches.

]]> By: Shari Steinhaus http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11581 Shari Steinhaus Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:06:49 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11581 Very thorough and informative! Thank you! Very thorough and informative! Thank you!

]]> By: Lynne Sebastian http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11580 Lynne Sebastian Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:51:22 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11580 Thank you, Raghav, for the most cogent commentary I've read yet on social networking as a recruiting tool. Now we can all get back to work. Thank you, Raghav, for the most cogent commentary I’ve read yet on social networking as a recruiting tool. Now we can all get back to work.

]]> By: Glen Cathey http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11577 Glen Cathey Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:38:40 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11577 Raghav, Excellent article - spot-on! There is a significant bandwagon effect going on with all of the hype surrounding social networking. However, social networks are FAR from the magic hiring solution people want them/believe them to be. I wrote a similar post back in February comparing the effectiveness of the job boards to that of social media/networking - I recommend reading it as a supplement to this excellent article: http://www.booleanblackbelt.com/2009/02/job-boards-vs-social-networking-sites/ Raghav,
Excellent article – spot-on! There is a significant bandwagon effect going on with all of the hype surrounding social networking. However, social networks are FAR from the magic hiring solution people want them/believe them to be.

I wrote a similar post back in February comparing the effectiveness of the job boards to that of social media/networking – I recommend reading it as a supplement to this excellent article:

http://www.booleanblackbelt.com/2009/02/job-boards-vs-social-networking-sites/

]]> By: SmartBlog on Workforce » Blog Archive » Bonus tracks http://www.ere.net/2009/04/02/beyond-the-hype-making-social-networking-work/comment-page-1/#comment-11575 SmartBlog on Workforce » Blog Archive » Bonus tracks Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:25:51 +0000 http://www.ere.net/?p=7228#comment-11575 [...] Getting past the hype on social networking [...] [...] Getting past the hype on social networking [...]

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