In 2010, I shared a news article about seeking jobs by playing video games. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that more companies recruit and select candidates without even asking them to submit a résumé. Will résumé become passé?
The Wall Street Journal provided more examples. IGN Entertainment uses a similar approach of social gaming by posting a series of challenges online for candidates. In addition, candidates must submit a video to show their love of gaming and the companies’ products.
Union Square Ventures, the New York venture-capital firm which invests in many technology companies like Foursquare and Twitter, requires candidate to provide the links of their online presence. The company is expecting to see a Twitter account, a Tumblr blog, and a short video demonstrating the candidate’s interest in the job. “We are most interested in what people are like, what they are like to work with, how they think,” said by Christina Cacioppo, a Union Square associate who blogs about the company’s hiring process.
Because people use social media in almost every minute of their lives, candidates “expose” rich and descriptive information about their likes/dislikes. Companies can then better judge a candidate’s “fit” with the organizational culture and the position based on the “extra” information that they could not find from a résumé otherwise.
There are certainly legal considerations of using social media in recruiting and selecting candidates. Meanwhile, many candidates may not feel comfortable of sharing their “personal information” with other. To my knowledge, however, EEOC has not stopped companies from using social media in that regard. Even if EEOC does, there is a solution for employers --- to hire a third party agent to screen candidates’ social media profiles without collecting any “sensitive information.
Today, there are still many companies using résumés in recruitment and selection. Companies that are forward-thinking might have looked into the tools available and see if social media can provide a better solution for attracting and selecting top talents. For job seekers, it might not be a bad idea to let potential employers know their “authentic” personalities and true passion because supposedly, they are also looking for the right fit for their career.
Do you think companies should assess candidates’ fit and qualifications by looking at candidates’ social media profiles? What considerations should be taken if social media is used? If you are looking for an internship or job now, what will you do to better prepare yourself when more companies are looking at candidates’ social media profiles?
Relevant discussions:
Privacy vs. Efficacy: Which One Would You Choose? (Using Facebook in Job Search)
One Has No Choice But to Manage His/Her Online Image
Background Check on Social Media: Now Is a Serious Business
Using Facebook for Background Check
Social Media and Job Search I
Social Media and Job Search II
One Has No Choice But to Manage His/Her Online Image
Background Check on Social Media: Now Is a Serious Business
Using Facebook for Background Check
Social Media and Job Search I
Social Media and Job Search II
Personal Brand and Social Media
Managing Your Online Reputation
Ways to Clean Up a Person’s Negative Online Reputation
Managing Your Online Reputation
Ways to Clean Up a Person’s Negative Online Reputation
References:
Silverman, Rachel Emma. (2012, January 24). No more résumés, Say some firms. The Wall Street Journal. pp. B6. Also available online.
The picture was downloaded from the Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Now a days, almost every company has found a way to use social media websites to advertise their products. People also use social media websites in order to market themselves for possible job opportunities. Social media websites like facebook and twitter are the two most used and referred to websites by employers. On your social media profiles, you should always place past and desired job experience. Although these websites can be used on a more personal level, people should always be careful and aware of what they post or say. It is always important to place a privacy setting on your profile, and to only let the information that will benefit you be viewed by future employers. You really never know who could possibly be "STALKING" you.
ReplyDeleteIt is no doubt that more companies are looking at candidate’s social media profiles now. My biggest question is what are employers looking for when they decide to look up a candidate? If candidates know their profile will be searched, they will probably put something “good” instead of what they really are. I don’t think it’s a wise idea to hire someone just based on social media profile.
ReplyDeleteI use Facebook as a tool to socialize with my friends. Therefore, I don’t feel comfortable to share that with employers or colleagues. Sometimes I want to express negative emotions but I can’t do that if my boss has access to my page. I think I would rather brand myself more on Twitter or LinkedIn or sign up for a new account on Facebook.
It is interesting point, Sandy. These days, however, people may trust what's on the internet more than other things. The rationale is --- if one puts something on LinkedIn or the internet that everyone can see, it must be "real." Plus, one can pretend to be somebody else for one day, one week, or one month, but it would be tough for someone to pretend to be somebody else on social media over a long period of time. Building an authentic brand will be good for the employer and the job seeker if we are talking it in the micro-organizational level.
DeleteToday, it is not uncommon for companies to search for potential employees online. The percentage of companies “Google searching” prospective workers is increasingly growing; it is easy for them and a convenient way to find out more about someone in a different way. This may hurt or help someone depending on what their online or social media presence is. When it comes down to it, one inappropriate comment, picture or post can hinder your chance in becoming hired. Personally, I do not believe that companies should assess a candidates’ fit and qualifications just by looking at their social media profiles. I know that I keep my Facebook and Twitter private, besides the Twitter for this class. My Facebook and Twitter are designed for myself and people that I interact with and not for companies that I would be interested in working with. On the other hand, my LinkedIn is more of a professional social media site that has my resume and experience that I would love for potential employers to see. I don’t think that you can judge someone or see if they are qualified for your company solely based on a website. I do think blogs and social media sites that show a candidate’s passion and skill is a great way for an employee to get a more positive insight on them. So, when keeping social media sites open to the public ensure that they are appropriate and show you in the way you would want an employer to see you; professional and authentic! Personally, I am happy that we are writing blogs and a professional Twitter because it is going to help my SEO and online presence.
ReplyDeleteIn an every changing word, the methods that we use are continually to change. Now is a time where paper products rarely exist. Nearly everything can be found electronically through smart phones and tablets. There are many people that are similar to one and other. What is the best way to stand out from one another? It is not your education that makes you stand out it is your experience. With the social media boom, different methods have implied for looking for jobs. Recently the infamous Charlie Sheen used social media to find an internee. With everything changing so quickly, new ways will be brought up to separate potential candidates.
ReplyDelete