“Revitalizing Your Social Media Recruiting Strategy”

Social networks increase diversity in candidate pools by connecting people from different backgrounds with companies. Hiring professionals can use social media to quickly exclude candidates who may not fit well with the organization based on their personality, perceived intelligence, and skills. Avoid practices that discriminate or mislead candidates. Social networking is now commonly used by recruiters and HR professionals for hiring. If your candidate sourcing efforts on social media platforms aren’t yielding the results you anticipated, here are some steps to consider:

Re-evaluate Goals and Refine your strategy

Take a step back and ensure your goals are clear and realistic. Are you looking to fill a specific position, or are you building a talent pool for future openings? Understanding your objectives will help you determine if your social media strategy is aligned with your goals and if necessary, set more focused and achievable targets. Ensure you have a clear strategy aligned with your goals. Don't just post generic job descriptions - tailor your message to the platform.

Analyse Data and Engage with the right audience

Dive into the data from your social media campaigns. Identify which posts are getting engagement and which ones are not. Patterns may emerge that reveal what potential candidates are interested in or what might be turning them away. Pivot your content strategy to better align with your audiences' preferences. Identify the platforms where your ideal candidates spend their time. Engagement is key on social media. Actively interact with users by responding to comments, participating in relevant conversations, and creating content that encourages interaction. Fostering a sense of community and showing attentiveness to your audience increases the likelihood of attracting candidates who feel connected to your brand. Social media is about building connections, not just broadcasting messages Engage with potential candidates and showcase your company culture.

Diversify Platforms

LinkedIn is the best Social Media tool to hire candidates but don’t rely solely on a single platform for all your recruitment needs. Explore different social media platforms that may be more aligned with your target candidates’ preferences. Diversifying your strategy can help you tap into various talent pools. While social media is a powerful tool, it shouldn't be your only sourcing strategy.

Be mindful of ethics

Social networks are a cost and time-effective source of information to evaluate if a candidate is a good fit for the organization. Social media networks can offer insight into a candidate's personality and intelligence. Profiles can reveal information about traits such as extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism, as well as provide clues about decision-making and judgment. These networks enable recruiters to verify information from CVs, applications, and recommendation letters, allowing them to identify any discrepancies in job titles, tenure at a company, and stated skills.

 Positive Indicators for social media screening include professionalism, communication skills, evidence of qualifications and skills, consistency, cultural fit, and creativity/innovation. These indicators reinforce a potential hire's suitability for a role, such as demonstrating expertise through thoughtful posts on industry trends.

Recruiters use social media screening to look for patterns of concerning behaviour in candidates. If a candidate consistently posts disrespectful content, it is safer for the company to not hire them, as there is a risk that this behaviour will continue in the workplace. Identifying these red flags can help recruiters avoid future problems. It helps them gain a better understanding of candidates' experiences and personalities. While it has many advantages, there are also ethical risks associated with using social networks for recruitment.

 Remember, social media can be a powerful tool for recruiting, but its effectiveness depends on how it’s used. Adjust your approach, target the right platforms and refine your messaging to resonate with the right audience.