I had just finished a presentation at ERE and was walking though the event reception area when a voice from behind me asked “what happens if Facebook decides to shut you down?” I turned to see who had asked such a bold question. I recognized the inquiring voice to be John Sumser. I thought to... [full article »]
Marvin Smith
Marvin Smith is a Social Recruiting Technologist - his mission is to use technology to put the human touch back into sourcing & recruiting. In short, he identifies, engages, and nurtures relationships with the target audiences that map to the organization's workforce plan.
Currently, he is a Senior Researcher on the internal executive search team. In that role, he is employing community building strategies on social media platforms to develop pipelines of talent for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He relies heavily on Web 2.0 technologies and social communities to create a unique experience for prospective candidates interested in exploring a career opportunity either now or in the future. Those conversations with prospective talent may take place with live events, in the virtual world using a social networking sites like LinkedIn or Twitter or Facebook, or take the form of an online technical briefing or a webinar.
Previously, Marvin served as a Strategic Sourcing Program Manager, with Research In Motion. Before that, he was a Talent Sourcer for Microsoft. In that role, he identified current and future talent for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB). A hybrid role that was part program manager, part marketing, part research & competitive intelligence, part sourcing, and part recruiting. Specifically, he identified the target talent that is needed for the businesses and created opportunities for conversations with that audience. This workstream was part of the pioneering talent pipelining and community development pilot.
Articles by Marvin Smith...
A Nagging Question: What Happens if Facebook Decides to Shut You Down?
by Marvin Smith Dec 16, 2010, 2:41 pm ET
3 Trends That Impact Recruiting
by Marvin Smith Feb 24, 2010, 5:41 am ET
In addition to a shortage of talent, Microsoft E&D has identified three trends that impact recruiting and have caused us to see a new way of looking at recruiting solutions. Technology seems to be in beta The Internet has turned from informational to social People (customers) are in power In the April Journal of Corporate... [full article »]
Sourcing Insights: No More ‘Apply or Goodbye’
by Marvin Smith Sep 3, 2009, 5:12 am ET
“Apply or Goodbye” is a great metaphor for a transactional recruiting process. Sadly, “apply or goodbye” seems to be the end result with most recruiting processes. Everything seems to be about a transaction—filling the open requisition. If a prospect is qualified and interested, then they are moved through the process. If they are not qualified,... [full article »]
Sourcing Insights: SEO is Not Enough!
by Marvin Smith Aug 12, 2009, 5:58 am ET
Search Engine Optimization seems to be on everyone lips. SEO seems to be on the tip of every consultant’s tongue. SEO is “all the craze” right now. The chief reason to “optimize” our jobs is because job seekers primarily use search engines to look for a job (as opposed to job boards). But if you... [full article »]
Sourcing Insight: Control Freaks Hate Community
by Marvin Smith Jul 27, 2009, 3:25 pm ET
Control freaks hate community. And most recruiters are control freaks. Ergo, recruiters hate community. Perhaps my deduction is a little harsh (and purposely attention-grabbing). Maybe a better way to describe how many recruiters feel about community is that they are suspicious, or at the very least skeptical. To suggest that recruiters are control freaks is... [full article »]
Sourcing Insight: Market Segmentation
by Marvin Smith Jul 22, 2009, 5:26 am ET
The interviewee queried the Microsoft Hardware Interviewer: “What is Microsoft’s commitment to hardware?” The applicant continued: “While, Microsoft is known for software, what is your vision for the hardware business?“ This scene played out over and over. Sometimes the candidate would even be looking over the interviewer’s shoulder without noticing the poster proudly displayed behind... [full article »]
Sourcing Insight: Virtual Third Places
by Marvin Smith Jul 14, 2009, 5:12 am ET
A woman in Boston picks up a glass of red wine. She puts her nose into the glass and breathes in deeply. She takes of sip of the wine and a slight smile crosses her face. She gently sets down the glass and types a few words on her computer. She watches the screen intently... [full article »]
