Made my first OnRec nomination today and thought some of you who are really into social media intersection with recruiting might benefit:

"To date, I have not witnessed a site combine the combine both the creative elements, social media aspect, and capture emotion such as the Marine Corps recruiting website www.Marines.com. From the home page, users are able to view the latest commercial, request more information, view Marine principles -- for example, if you click the ‘Loyal’ thumbnail, you are directed to a page stating, “There are a fortunate few who enjoy a loyalty so great the years cannot wash it away. Place and time have no bearing on this great bond.”

[To augment the base recruiting site, there is also a channel for parents.]

However, the true innovation can be found at the sub-channel, http://our.Marines.com. The “Why I Serve” element allows users to upload their own video, thereby creating a viral infomercial of sorts. In my estimation, successful social media-based recruiting initiatives are geared at recreating the best elements of (and harnessing the power of) marketing’s ultimate panacea, the Infomercial. What I found most surprising were the integration of video from Marines currently serving in Iraq, such as this one.

For the record, I am an executive recruiter who had no influence in what I see on the Marine website. However, I am a former Marine, which speaks to why I would take a look in the first place. That being said, I was absolutely surprised that some of these cutting-edge practices are not embraced by corporations – particularly, the allowing of employees to upload video to the career site regarding why they’re passionate about working at Xyz Company. Today’s day and age in recruiting has time and time again shown us that candidates and employees are looking to create meaning in their lives through work. Giving current employees a voice is a way to do that in a way that external candidates can relate to.

There is much to be gleamed, learned, and adopted through the Marine Corp’s innovation on their recruiting site . . . however the Marines aren’t the type to stand in line waiting for awards. Although I doubt anyone involved in the creation and development of this site is looking for recognition, I can’t help but offer a resounding “Well Done” to accompany my nomination.