More candidates access Facebook than Linkedin. Go find em` on Facebook Mrs. or Mr. Recruiter!

Epiphany?

No new news here.

Interesting thoughts after meeting several candidates in person this week in Tokyo. Though its officially Holidays this week in Japan - Obon Yasumi, when people go back to their hometowns to pay respect to their ancestors that have passed - I own my own boutique company with staff around the Globe who are working normal hours so no break for me.

Several candidates admitted to accessing Facebook on a daily basis, more than 3 times or more a day.

When I asked them how many times they were accessing their Linkedin accounts it came out to a resounding once-a-month or less.

What does that mean? Duh? It means you better source and do your X-ray searching on the net, then, contact and qualify those leads on Facebook. Obviously you don`t want to pitch it like your selling on the first contact, that`s a big turnoff. Its like dating, you want to use a slow, methodical, drip marketing campaign to contact and source the people you are interested in.

If you`re lucky, you`ll know someone in common on FB, Group, etc., if not, then, you can preface it by saying you saw their professional background or some association, etc., then approach them that way.

From this week I have been actively using FB as a network building tool, and, indirectly as a recruitment sourcing tool that has paid back dividends more than Linkedin (which I still depend on and use as well). If you need to contact them now and can`t wait for your iNmail to come back, better get you some Facebook action!

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Comment by Bill Schultz on August 20, 2012 at 8:47pm: Try Identified.

Comment by Chris Connolly on August 21, 2012 at 9:24am: Interesting comments Howard but I've found the exact opposite. The "professionals" that I typically target maintain LinkedIn on a daily basis and most don't even have a FB account - and if they do, it's strictly personal.

Just goes to prove - every world is different - neither is right or wrong.

Comment by Jerry Albright on August 21, 2012 at 2:18pm: Thanks for the toppic Howard. I love talking about this kind of stuff.

From my perspective I don't think the word "candidates" fits as much as the word "people." Yes - people visit FB more than Linkedin.

But why? What is their intent there? What do they want to find? In my world - and my FB friends - most are going there to "find" anything OTHER THAT talk about work. I just don't feel they have their "professional" hat on.

So with that thinking I've also got to think that Facebookers are there to let their hair down. They are not looking for yet another professional networking site. They visit with friends and relatives.

The last thing people want when they are relaxing is some recruiter leaning over their shoulder.

Just my opinion - and I'm here for the discussion.

Comment by Bill Schultz on August 21, 2012 at 3:50pm: The difference between LinkedIn and Facebook IRT Careers is that is not Facebook's only purpose. The guy is correct that some don't want to be bothered for that purpose. Most career apps pn FB have an "opt in"

function, therefore giving the candidate an option. So, those who do opt in are fine with entering a discussion with a recruiter.

The average age on Linkedin is 43. Average age on FB is 23. I'd make a conclusion that there is a different set of candidates to be mined.

Comment by Dean Lockett on August 24, 2012 at 8:53am: Could it be that the ones that are on FB that want the laid back and professional experience also use the Branch Out application maybe?

Comment by Maya Saric on September 18, 2012 at 10:05pm: Good article, Howard. Facebook has undoubtedly more users than LinkedIn currently, but I always like to have both accounts active. LinkedIn, after all, is aimed towards professionals, so still valuable in recruitment and networking.