Quality Over Quantity in Social Media

Its easy to put numbers ahead of quality in social media. Its natural to add people to your contact lists when its as easy as a click of a button, or a quick e-mail. Many recruitment agencies judge you based on the number of contacts you have on your LinkedIn page. Its understandable. But I believe the recruiter with 50 contacts-- people they have well-established professional and friendly relationships with--is more valuable than the one with 500 loosely affiliated connections. I think the challenge in 21st century recruitment is: how do you meet the needs of a database of 500-1000 clients? You're going to need systems that send out automatic holiday and birthday e-cards. You need constant updates and the time to make a quick gesture of congratulation or offers of "how can I help you" without the expectation of reciprocity. It can be done.

Bottom line, I LOVE social media, and the possibilities it offers to recruiters. But the ones who are going to flourish in the long term, I think, are the ones who are using it to build authentic relationships, and that's hard when you're juggling massive databases. What are your thoughts and suggestions?

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Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 29, 2011 at 1:59pm: If you have a database of 500 to 1000 clients that you have ever done business with and a phone you don't need social media.

Comment by Jesse Fernandez on July 29, 2011 at 3:28pm: I've seen job requirements where they want to see your linkedIn connections...Sandra, I agree if you have a database of 500-1000 candidates and a phone you don't HAVE to have social media, but it makes staying in touch with them and contacting them A LOT faster and easier.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 29, 2011 at 4:27pm: I was kidding but also the way the post was written i thought you were referring to clients meaning companies. Most of us old recruiters refer to the guy who signs the front of the check as a client, candidates are candidates. It probably is a good state of mind to consider a candidate a client also but we sort of think of them as very valued inventory that we take good care of, keep current and in touch with.

Point well made that social blasts connect faster and easier when you are speaking of candidates.

As to candidate number of contacts and linkedin connections i could care less. My take is that Linkedin recs are a lot like a reference from your favorite aunt. Meaninless. Nobody is going to publically post anything but slobering kudos.

My linkedin connections are private just like my database.

Comment by Jesse Fernandez on July 29, 2011 at 7:32pm: Ouch! "Valued inventory." LOL... A lot of great insights Sandra. I agree about not showing my LinkedIn contacts, but I guess what I was trying to get at is your contacts on social media sites, like linkedIn and facebook, are becoming requirements for certain types of jobs, and in one's pursuit of big numbers, they lose sight of making good business connections...Thanks for the honest feedback!

Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 29, 2011 at 11:19pm: I am interested Jesse. I have not seen any requirements being listed asking for contacts on linkedin and facebood. The only thing i could think of might be internet marketing or social media implementation type positions. You are very correct that quantity. I accept all contact requests on Linkedin simply because anyone who reaches out to me i do not want to cause them some sort of problem with linkedin by saying i don't know them. But, many i would never be able to place so do not stay in contact with them. So i agree that numbers mean nothing.

The only think i can see that would be an advantage for a recruiter with a large number of followers is if one broadcast a job that would provide relo from anyplace in the country where the potential of dropping a rock in the pond would create ripples that could not be reached in any other way. Long shot at best if anyone even noticed it.

Sorry can't help it inventory is inventory and the guy with the best inventory wins. :)

Comment by Sandra McCartt on July 29, 2011 at 11:22pm: @Bill that's interesting. I had not thought about dates of recs coinciding with layoffs or job searches. I shall enjoy looking at that little treasure. Thanks for giving me something else to look at. arrgghhh.

Comment by Paul Alfred on July 30, 2011 at 11:45am: Jesse... How you utilize your network in LinkedIn regardless of size is really what's important. Just building a network for numbers only makes sense if you understand how to leverage it to your benefit. This is how I leverage my network I wrote a blog about this:

http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/linkedin-its-unorthod...

Comment by Paul Alfred on July 30, 2011 at 5:38pm: You Wrote earlier: " Paul--Really like how you suggest many social networking platforms like LI become shaped by their users. I think businesses are seeing this as well. No longer do savvy marketers try to shape their audiences opinions about their product. Instead, they use social media to allow their potential customers to shape their decisions. I think inevitably, the social media wave means more consumer control. I think the same is happening to our contacts and databases. They are the ones telling us what they want, very often indirectly through blogs; interests; comments; etc. In turn, we use that info to make decisions...Thanks for the thought provoking post! "

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You make a good point Jesse ... It's funny how users consumers, customers - do shape the way SM channels are used in the end ...

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