LinkedIn and other social networking sites are changing the way employers are networking and recruiting. As millions of potential employees are creating social media profiles, LinkedIn can become a major component to your HR strategies. Here are six ways to use LinkedIn for your recruiting campaigns.
- Expand your personal network of professionals. About.com's Alison Doyle reminds us that, at LinkedIn, "There are members from all 500 of the Fortune 500 companies. LinkedIn members comprise 130 different industries, and include well over 100,000 recruiters."
- Keep in touch with colleagues. Former colleagues that have worked for you or with you in the past are always great to keep in touch with for future projects or employment opportunities. Chances are you have already gotten a feel for their strengths and weaknesses and know if they would be the right candidate for a new job opportunity.
- Use keyword searches. You can search for candidates by using a key words search in order to narrow down your list and find the right candidates for your company.
- Make sure to use keywords for your company’s LinkedIn profile. You are not the only one using keywords to find the right fit. Prospective employees search LinkedIn by keywords, too. Make sure you have a completed LinkedIn profile that focuses on the keywords you want your candidates using to find you.
- Search by past or current employer. Want to find candidates who used to, or currently, work for a company in your industry? Searching this way will allow you to find the people with the skills and experience you seek for your company.
- For a fee, you can post jobs on LinkedIn and recruit and hire candidates. According to LinkedIn, "LinkedIn combines job listings, candidate search, trusted referrals and the power of networks to give you results." Also, people who are seeking employment can search LinkedIn free of charge on keywords related to their desired positions.
