Social media networks are so popular because they fulfill a fundamental human need to connect to others. Social media sites allow users to create virtual communities which enable them interact with others from around the globe. Social media sites have been indispensable in many industries due to their effectiveness in communicating information. Human resources social networking has become a popular trend among HR professionals. They can put the power of a social network to work in recruitment, employee engagement, increasing retention and more.
Recruiting with social media
Recruiting and brand building is social media’s biggest use for human resources currently. Companies are often found recruiting via social media like Facebook or Twitter. With the correct strategies, HR can make the most of social media. These are some tips.
Go to relevant networks
It is not a good idea to search for social networks which do not suit your target audience. If you are looking for a candidate to fill a top-ranking position, such as product manager or vice versa, you should avoid MySpace and other social networks that have younger members. These networks are great if you’re looking to recruit summer interns, entry-level employees or even college part-time job seekers.
Recruiting employees using LinkedIn is a great idea because the site is known for having subscribers who are professionals. It is a great search venue if you’re looking for experienced individuals in practically any industry.
Take the time to search
It’s going to take a bit of practice to learn the ropes of human resources social networking. You will need to learn how to streamline your searches to find the most qualified candidates. Avoid broad searches as they can lead to too many results which you won’t be able weed out.
Be ready to move or you will lose.
Note also that not all organizations or heads are using social media to recruit. You are not the only one who has started to explore this method. So it’s important that you act on a qualified candidate as soon as possible because other people are sure to have their eyes set on that potential employee as well.
Be professional
Even in cyberspace, appearances are everything. You want your profile to be professional if you are going to use Facebook and Twitter to recruit. Although it seems obvious, it is important to show kindness. Do not treat others rudely. People spread the word quickly, particularly in an online environment. You don’t want to be the subject of a blog post or YouTube video making the rounds of how you were unprofessional to a particular applicant.
Use social networks to promote employee engagement
According to studies, employee engagement can make your organization perform 2.6 times better than other companies. Employees who are passionate about their company’s products or services will increase sales. Social networks can have a huge impact on employee engagement, and more and more organizations now use it to increase involvement and commitment among workers.
Using social networks, you can do all the three internal communication components of successful workforce engagement – that is, TALK, LISTEN, and RESPOND. Web 2.0 social networks can be integrated seamlessly into the culture of your business. You will instantly send team building messages, get immediate feedback, and communicate with all employees quicker.
Many companies such as Shell, General Electric and Procter & Gamble are using Facebook to create connections with employees that don’t have time to get to know each other personally. This social network is not just used for instant messaging. They use the social network to communicate with employees about their emotional connection, commitment and involvement. This includes stories and news regarding charitable activities, career opportunities, recognition for outstanding performances, and information about job growth. Social networks have a high success rate in generating engagement.
These are just a few of the many tips that you have to keep in mind when working with social networking websites. It is important that you remember to meet your employees in person.