Some recruiters, however, question the legitimacy of hiring someone found on social media because it digresses from traditional recruitment practices. They also argue that social media profiles are carefully crafted representations of people’s lives and careers, and sometimes, it’s hard to really know whether they’re telling the truth.
It’s understandable to have doubts about social recruiting, but it’s also good to know how it could possibly benefit your company. Here are 4 reasons why hiring people you found on social media can be a great idea:
It can give greater insight into an applicant’s abilities
Before you send anyone a private message about your job opening, you would usually read through their profile, to first to know more about their professional career. You will see if their skills and experience fit well with what you’re looking for.
Social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter give candidates a dynamic platform to showcase their work. For example, many copywriters share links to their work on Twitter, or graphic designers post samples of their work or pieces they find inspirational to social media. This offers the future employer a good sense of their voice, tact, and professionalism. Those are the same skills they might bring to the open position in question.
It can reveal ugly incidents
The World Wide Web has a cached history of the activities of its millions of users, your potential hire included. For example, if they made some professional boo-boos that got them in trouble, there’s a chance you can find it online. Take the famous incident of how IAC director for corporate communications Justine Sacco got fired for her racist tweet.
Typing just a few keywords can reveal a lot of information about a candidate, even those they are trying to hide. It goes without saying that you should take everything you read with a grain of salt. Do social media background check with an open mind, then verify what you find when you are acquainted with the candidate.
It can foster a relationship with potential hires
Social media allows your company to engage with an online community regularly by providing information on industry trends, job activity, and available positions.
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are just some of the great online networking sites where you can interact with potential candidates, if they have queries about your current vacancies. You can also get their feedback on new products and services your company offers. All in all, social media is a great platform to get visibility and build relationships with your potential hires.
It can help you look beyond your first-degree connections
Birds of the same feather flock together – so the saying goes. It is also true in, social recruiting. Chances are, the person you are looking to tap for a position is connected to other candidates with the same profile. This opens up opportunities for you, to also reach out to their professional connections.
If you use employee referral software like Firstbird, you can easily merge your social recruitment with your existing referral program. Your employees can share vacancies across their social networks, providing you with quality candidates and personal referrals. Firstbird integrates with all social and professional networks, and each link is individualized so you know where your referrals come from.
In the end, candidates found on social media could potentially be a great hire for your company. Social media recruitment can help you decide whether the candidate could be a good fit for your company, before you conduct a more thorough screening, including criminal background check and reference check.
Do you have other reasons why hiring candidates from social media can be a good thing? Share them in the comments section below.
Looking to boost your social recruitment using an employee referral program? Visit Firstbird for more information.