According to Alexa.com, Google (#1) and Facebook (#2) are the two most popular sites on the Internet. For companies actively engaged in recruiting talent via the Internet, it is important to consider, what are the defining qualities of these sites that make them so attractive to Internet users? Once defined, how can companies seeking to hire best-in-class talent leverage this information to better recruit with prospective candidates?

Instant, Well-Organized Information

Since the introduction of Google in 1998, it has become easier and easier to quickly find the information you are looking for. Despite not knowing all of the terms of the Google algorithm, website owners have strategically focused on making their sites easier to index with several different strategies including SEO and SEM. As a result, this has allowed Google to use their algorithm to better organize this information. The manner in which Google organizes the most relevant sites at the top of search results and quickly delivers this information is so compelling that it is the #1 site on the Internet. For companies recruiting talent, Google users will expect your career site, Facebook page, Twitter account, and job advertisement to quickly deliver the information they are seeking in a well-organized format.

Social Engagement

Despite being introduced only 6 years ago, Facebook has rapidly become the second most popular site on the Internet. Not only does Facebook command the attention of millions daily, but their users spend hours viewing photos, making status updates, sharing links, and instant messaging their friends. Just as being able to quickly find well-organized information is important to the Google users; having the ability to socially engage around content of interest is essential for Facebook users. Consider these stats from Facebook:

• More than 60 million status updates posted each day
• More than 3 billion photos uploaded to the site each month
• More than 5 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) shared each week
• Average user spends more than 55 minutes per day on Facebook
• Average user clicks the Like button on 9 pieces of content each month
• Average user writes 25 comments on Facebook content each month

These statistics illustrate the social foundation of Facebook. Once, a friend checks out a content that is interesting; they will usually comment or share that link with their friends. This can spark a multi-party dialogue with friends from a variety of different circles offering their insight and commentary. Organizations seeking to create a compelling user experience for perspective candidates must also provide opportunities for social engagement and interaction.

Organizations able to simultaneously deliver instant, well-organized information and social engagement will be rewarded with growing numbers of qualified prospective candidates.

-Omowale Casselle

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About the Author: Omowale Casselle is the co-founder and CEO of mySenSay, a social recruiting community that connects college students and corporations.