A number of reports have been published over the past year illustrating the great emphasis placed on an individual’s online presence in a job search context. The latest numbers indicate that 86% of recruiters are likely to check candidates’ social profiles during the screening process. This study published by Jobvite reveals quite a bit about what’s attracting recruiters to social media every day and how you can win their favor.
The information contained in the report can empower you to better establish yourself online. Below are three key takeaways from the study and the lessons they hold.
1. 73% of recruiters have successfully hired a candidate through social networks. 92% plan to use social media for recruiting moving forward.
Time to loosen up those privacy settings! Social media is a primary communication venue, and making your information public (such as your hometown, education details, current job and career history) is the best way to ensure that messages meant for you get to you, instead of arriving in the inbox of someone who shares your name.
Further, ‘hiding’ from the public only promises missed opportunities. Consider the fact that 93% of companies in the aforementioned survey recruit through LinkedIn. When used effectively LinkedIn guarantees positive attention from parties seeking someone with your background, but a complete career history and substantial list of skills are powerless behind high security settings. Ensure that you have made enough information public across your social profiles so that others accurately identify you and opportunity can find your door.
2. 90% of recruiters anticipate needing to fill at least 5 job openings in the next year.
The pool of job seekers is growing, yet open positions remain that way. Why? Today’s recruiters are faced with the challenge of finding prospects to fill positions that didn’t exist until recently, and that require new and specific skill sets. This phenomenon is common in less mature sectors such as mobile app development (where job vacancies are up more than 100% since a year ago). In these areas demand for talent exceeds supply, and the talent is difficult to find. Developing yourself online helps build an association between you and your areas of expertise so that the perfect job can find you instead of vice versa.
3. Profanity and spelling/grammar mistakes in social profiles are viewed negatively by more recruiters (61% and 54%, respectively) than pictures of alcohol consumption (47%).
As recently as a year ago, trusted voices all over the Web were advising us to destroy all evidence of a social life. Now, though, we’re finding out that photographs of you with a beer in hand are not the deal-breakers they were believed to be; recruiters actually expect them. Some firms even move candidates with barren profiles to the bottom of the pile. Showing personality will benefit you by demonstrating to potential employers that you boast social skills and an ability to relate to others.
Recruiters’ distaste for poor writing habits gives us additional insight into what they value. “Communication skills” is a stock response from employers when asked what they look for in a job candidate. The Senior VP of Siemens calls them the “difference between success and failure.” Still, 91% of employers in a 2012 survey agreed that communication skills are the most difficult to find in a candidate. The lesson here is to make the effort to use proper spelling and grammar on social media; by doing so, you will present yourself as someone who maintains a constant high standard of communication. Set yourself apart by exhibiting this crucial skill set online.
The Jobvite report illuminates the importance of maintaining a robust, accurate, and current online identity. Are you convinced yet? At Qnary, this is one of our favorite topics, so if you’ve got questions, comments, or additional thoughts, please share them!
About Lauren Welles
Lauren is the Marketing Manager at Qnary. Her background is in social media-based strategy and marketing research. She has experience analyzing data to identify trends and generate actionable insights that inform clients in product and service innovation. At a social media marketing agency, she helped build campaigns and optimize brand presences in social media. She has worked with brands across industries, including Vanguard, General Motors, adidas, and Hertz.
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