Expert Interview with Erik Qualman on Digital Innovation and Recruiting
By Cheryl Morgan
An early evangelist about the power of social media and mobile technology on business, Erik Qualman is one of the go-to experts on the trends, issues and best practices surrounding digital innovation.
The author of Socialnomics, Digital Leader and What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube recently caught up with us to offer his top level insights on using social media for recruiting. Here's what he had to say:
Can you tell us the story behind Socialnomics?
Socialnomics = Word of Mouth on Digital Steroids. The book is used by close to 200 universities, as it teaches how social media is changing the way we live and do business.
What are the biggest headlines in the world of social media today? What trends or issues are you following?
Any issues that relate to privacy and also ratings and reviews. People are starting to have ratings via things like LinkedIn Endorsements and Recommendations, Klout, Kred, etc.
How important is social media to recruiting today? What role do you think it will have moving forward?
It is huge today and will actually be where almost all recruiting starts and ends in the future. You have to understand that social media is simply a synonym for relationship-building.
What are some of the most important lessons brands have learned about social recruiting? The biggest dos and don'ts?
You might lose a candidate if your company blocks social media at work. This sends a cultural message to great candidates.
What brands do you think set an example for how social can be used in recruiting?
Likeable Local. They even use Snapchat to recruit. Chris and Dave Kerpen are amazing!
What advice do you have for recruiters on approaching candidates via social media?
Be genuine and transparent.
What social media platforms do you think are the most important for brands when it comes to recruiting?
LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+ (hangouts).
How can they use these platforms more effectively?
Make sure your digital stamp (profile/items/posts) project the brand image you are trying to convey.
What sort of social media research should brands be doing on candidates' backgrounds?
Much more than they are now.
Connect with Erik on Twitter and Facebook.
What does our team do?
The Social Hire team never just do social media.
Our group of specialists are an organisation that helps our clients boost their online marketing by offering social media management services on a monthly basis.
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