I've received a few requests asking about how recruiters can use Google to better source candidates or streamline some recruiting efforts. Since I was actually in the process of playing with some Google Maps mashups when the last request came in I thought I'd hit on some neat things recruiters can do with Google Maps. First let me say that I'm by no means implying that Google is THE resource to use - I just feel that Google sees the writing on the wall and is aggressive in regards to making the web experience more social by making themselves your gateway to all things "cloud" thus they get so much of my attention.

Okay... so back on track - Google Maps.
Everyone knows the basics - typing in information on your favorite map site to determine if reasonable commuting distances or surrounding areas to recruit from. But let's think bigger.
What if I told you that you could also use a map to more easily tighten up your Boolean strings? Or create a shopping list of candidate resources? Or post a job? Read on, faithful reader, read on.

Most of us have typed our names into Google to see what comes back (and if you haven't then you aren't managing your personal brand - a topic for a different discussion!) so why wouldn't we type in the name or our employer? Head over to Google Maps and shove in the name of your company - large or small. If your company or service isn't displayed within the results you can easily add it via the provided link in the left column so that it's found in search results only moments later. This is some prime real estate (pun intended) to be taken advantage of.


As job seekers continue to start their job search in search engines as opposed to on job boards we can often times leverage the power of the results they may find. More and more we're seeing maps integrated into search results or websites - and job seekers looking for employment offices via the web.... With the ability to post a simple statement about any hot hiring initiatives or helpful links to your career portal on your company's Google Map presence, why wouldn't you?

On the flipside of passive marketing - we know that online maps are a simple way to quickly mark distances from hiring location to metro areas in an effort to help determine cities we may want to try and source from. Many of use use the tried and true zip code additions to our Online sourcing activity. The pattern usually seen is for a recruiter to head to their favorite zip code site and look for zips in x radius to include in their search. And while Zip-Codes.com is great - let's move on, shall we?

Behold the power of mashing great things together in the interest of... well - whatever we like. Check out this little Gem that's a favorite of mine. It allows you to type in a city or location and presents to you the Google Map with an overlay of updated zip codes. With most of the functionality of a standard Google Map intact this is a great resource for getting a visual depiction of zip codes - and traffic - and routes - all in once place.



Phone sourcers have been using Online resources like Google Maps for quite some time. When recruiting needs present themselves in a market where leads are minimal or where the recruiter is unfamiliar with the territory Google Maps are a terrific way to kick off a "Smile & Dial" campaign.

For instance - if I were sourcing for a game developer in Dallas I'd only need type in a few keywords here and there for the Dallas area and within a few moments I'm looking at a page full of game development companies that I can begin to call or work my Online sourcing mojo with. As you can see above, I was able to pull a quick listing of game development companies in the Dallas area.



Getting what you need from the web isn't always easy - but with tools like Google Maps it's much easier than it's ever been before. The thing that every recruiter should keep in mind, however is that powerful tools on the internet are a moving target. What you feel is the strongest asset in your toolbox today may be living in the shadow of tomorrow's update or mashup.

Be flexible and try to remember that the solutions aren't always handed to us.. but the tools usually are.

Originally posted here - with comments underway. (feel free to jump in!)