Career Services staff recently attended a Minnesota Career Development Association Roundtable discussion hosted by Jessi H., a recruiting manager at a leading furniture company. Below are a few takeaways from a recruiter’s perspective:
Goodbye Monster and Career Builder. Hello referrals, Craigslist, Indeed, niche job banks, and social media sites!
Is posting a resume on Monster or Career Builder the best way to find a job? General job banks have become oversaturated with applicants and ads. For Jessi H., the number one applicant source in 2013 was Craigslist, mainly because this site attracts quality candidates and is cost-effective for employers. Employee Referrals came in second, with recruiters preferring to source candidates based on referrals versus “cold” leads. Therefore, knowing someone internally can greatly increase an applicant’s chances of being selected for an interview.
Recruiters are also posting openings on job search aggregates, such as Indeed.com, along with niche job banks in specific fields. They use social media sites to source qualified candidates and learn more about their online brand.
LinkedIn Matters
Do you have a professional photo, at least three recommendations, and your sections completed? If your profile is not at 100%, recruiters will not be able to locate you through their search results. With LinkedIn Recruiter, recruiters are able to search for candidates based on specific selection criteria. Therefore, the keywords and buzzwords that appear on your profile can determine whether you show up in searches. Incorporate industry buzzwords and keywords in your Summary and Experience sections to get noticed.
Twitter is Real-Time
Did you know that Twitter can be used as a job search tool? Jobs posted on Twitter are “real-time” opportunities. Twitter also allows you to connect with companies, recruiters, and job search experts. Review company Twitter pages to learn about the people and culture of the organization; join job search discussions between recruiters and job seekers on @hirefriday; and follow recruiters at target companies. Once you follow someone on Twitter, you can send them a private message and start building a networking connection.
Approaching job search through a recruiter’s perspective can help generate out-of-the-box strategies and uncover hidden opportunities. For additional strategies, visit the Job Search/Career Management section of our Archived Webinars page.
Written by Career Services Advisor Dina Bergren