Using Facebook Isn't Recruiting If You Can't Produce Candidates On Demand...

So, you're a social networking master - LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.  You've got friends and by the way, you're keeping score.  How many connections?  How many friends?  How many followers?

Hey Moses - all those followers aren't worth a dime if you can't find a left-handed sheepherder who lives in the Sinai Peninsula when you need one...

(Feedburner email subscribers click through for video...)

Hat tip to AG at Corporate Recruiting Diva....

Comments

[Michael Wolfe]

Love the clip...

What good is social networking for recruiting or sourcing talent if everyone is just like you - maybe it's time to get some new friends...

Great quote, "Stop Talking...Start Connecting"

[Alex Cantu]

This reminded me of a conversation I had with Jim Durbin. He told me get some better friends too. Funny/Scary it's all too close to reality

[Joshua Letourneau]

Michael, great post - I actually included the video in a discussion I had today over at RecruitingBlogs.com (I linked to it in the URL box I used to fill this out, so hopefully it's there).

My post was about avoiding what I call the Twitter Trap.

What strikes me here about the video is that yes, we can have "Friends like that." As an Executive Recruiter, I exist because of "Friends like that" . . . but we have to make that choice. I'd rather see myself Tweeting out something of true value (a press release, a blog post of interest, an industry-relevant topic, etc.) than something narcistically about what a calzone tastes like or how my ride into work is going!

In my estimation, A-Players confide in us to be that professional that they come to regarding next steps in their career. There is a balance; a thin line we walk between executing our value proposition to them while introducing them to more of our personal lives. Often the scales of professionalism can ebb and flow . . .

Anyway, great video :) Looking forward to reading more from you.

[Michael Wolfe]

Hey Joshua,

Completely agree and good insight...

I wish I could take credit for the video and post but all of that will have to go to KD...I just like to comment where I can...and do look for more to come from me...

Take care and have a great 4th...

[Michael Marlatt]

Excellent point and the video speaks volumes.

There are entirely too many recruiters who love to boast how many connections they have. I can't seem to figure out whether it's an attempt to validate their credibility, or insecurity - whatever you want to call it. We should build social networks to supplement (not replace) our core recruiting efforts. Maintaining social networks is a great way to engage our target market on their turf. However, it should be viewed as a long-term strategy for growing and cultivating relationships, and is most certainly not the "silver-bullet" answer for our immediate hiring needs.