Article Title: Yes you can – Join the Web 2.0 revolution – Twelve steps to get up to speed with Web 2.0
Author Byline: Susanna Cesar Morton
Author Website:

Our recent post about “Why is HR slow to adopt Web 2.0 technologies?” sparked an online conversation covering the many possibilities. The main one seemed to be fear – fear of losing control, fear of wasting time on a passing trend, and reading between the lines, fear of the unknown.

Peter Gold recently released a white paper on “Removing the Web 2.0 fear factor; and turning social networks into friends” He points out that a critical mass has embraced Web 2.0 and this trend will continue. You can dismiss Web 2.0 as being for the “younger generation” and let other companies reap the benefits, or you can roll up your sleeves and see what it is all about.

I agree with Peter, the best way to learn about something is to try it yourself. Test the water. At the end of his paper he has a section titled ‘Top 10 tips to becoming an e-socialite”.

Here’s my version. I've written it with recruiting in mind, but it can apply to any industry.

Twelve easy steps to get up to speed with web 2.0

Join Linkedin to start a professional network. It doesn’t take long to input in your CV and create a profile. Add a work photo. Connect with co-workers and re-connect with past colleagues. Get references. Join groups. Ask and answer questions. Watch your connections grow. Guy Kawasaki has a great post on how to get the most from Linkedin.
Create a Facebook profile to interact with family and friends. Add a fun photo. Use the email tool to find some “friends” and start interacting with them. Update your status. Write on your friends’ wall. Try a fun application. It’s a great way to keep in touch with minimal effort. Here’s a post on how to get the most out of Facebook.
Try Twitter to be "in the know". I was very skeptical about Twitter. Why should I care if someone was having coffee at Starbucks or walking their dog? The key is you don’t have to if you find the right people to follow. The value of Twitter is its ability to update “followers” on topics in real time, and then spark spontaneous conversations. Try it. It’s like following breaking news and having your say. You can follow me for a start, and then check out some the people I follow, mainly ones in the recruitment industry: louisetriance, joningram, andyheadworth, and petergold. Also follow some of the popular technology gurus like Scobleizer and guykawasaki.
Find some blogs that are relevant to your industry. Start with the list to the right of this blog. Then read them.
Configure an RSS reader, such as Google reader. Google reader is an easy way to manage blogs and newsfeeds. Once you find a blog or news source you think is relevant, cut and paste it into Google reader. Then scan it once a day to see if there is anything interesting.
Create a Google alert to find more relevant news sources and blogs. A Google alert can help you to track your industry, your clients, recent job posts, company growth, etc.
Join a social network, such as Talent Management Network. Create your profile (you only need to do this once, and then cut and paste for other networks). The largest is recruitingblogs, there is also HR Zone, HRM Today, Recruiting, Recruitment Community Europe.
Start a blog. Lots of the social networks have a facility for you to start your own blog. Write about something you know. Ask for comments. Watch the conversation grow. You may surprise yourself. When you have the confidence, get a Typepad account and start a blog of your own.
Learn to search Google like an expert
Have a social networking strategy
Don’t be a wall flower, join in conversations. Start conversations. Ask questions. Answer questions. This is what Web 2.0 is all about, learning from others. It has the added benefit of building your profile.
Manage your time. Social media can be a big drain on your time. Allow a half hour in the morning and half hour at the end of the day to catch up and contribute to online discussions. Don’t become an addict.
After a few months, evaluate what you have learned. Do you feel you are better at your job because of Web 2.0? Have you made any valuable contacts that you would not have made via traditional methods? Have you found the perfect candidate?

If you have found that it adds value, great continue along the Web 2.0 track. If not, take a break, and try it again next year. That will give your competition enough time to gain the upper hand.

-Susanna

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.