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​How Powerful is Social Media in the World of Recruitment?

  • Publish Date:
  • Author:by Sean Raine

​Social media is a powerful tool that companies all over the world use. Building your online brand is considered a necessity across all industries, and social media opens up a gateway into your business.

​Most companies see the value of having a social media presence, being able to share its messaging, promote its brand and engage with its audience on a more personal level is vital in a modern society. It has a variety of benefits:

  1. Build brand presence

  2. Identify groups and connections to engage with

  3. Listen - ‘hear’ what businesses are saying and doing online

  4. Competition - you can see what the competition is doing and the engagement it is getting

  5. Recruit - Targeting a select group of people that have the ideal skills and experience that you are looking for is invaluable

​We at NRG use social media platforms LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to advertise roles, promote our brand and engage with our audience, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Building a brand

​Social media promotes the culture of a business, it gives potential employees a window into the world of the company.

​For a company that is in the recruitment industry, ensuring that our content is engaging and informative demonstrates that we are a company on the pulse and not stuck in the mud.

​According to the agency central, the primary reason that recruiters and recruitment agencies use social media is to build a brand.

​From a recruiter's point of view being consistent across all the platforms elevates your brand and ensures transparency and professionalism for future employees.

Social media engages young talent

Engaging emerging talent is a challenge for recruitment agencies, particularly in industries facing skill shortages. According to Ofcom's 2018 Communications Market Report, 99% of 16-24-year-olds use social media, highlighting its widespread use among school and university leavers.

​The power of LinkedIn for candidates

​LinkedIn is an important tool for recruiters, firms and candidates to all be involved in. According to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), LinkedIn is the preferred network for recruiters, with 94% using it to source candidates.

​LinkedIn serves as a complement to traditional recruiting methods. Utilising LinkedIn is vital for recruiters and applicants. Having a presence on the platform will allow candidates the opportunity to stand out amongst the hundreds that would have applied for a single job.

​According to LinkedIn, applicants with a referral from an existing employee are four times more likely to be hired. For professionals who lack connections at their company of interest, LinkedIn offers an opportunity to make them happen.

Engaging multiple platforms

​Although LinkedIn lends itself to job searching and recruiting, there are other social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter that allow companies to advertise jobs or for candidates to contact businesses directly about vacancies.

​Most professionals will be present across a variety of platforms, so ensure that when you are applying for a job your social media presence is professional and won’t tarnish your future company’s reputation.

Social media screening

​From an applicant's point of view, social media is of course important to demonstrate to potential employers your professionalism. Companies have started to screen potential candidates, this means they would check your social media presence to understand if you would be a fit for their culture.

​In a 2020 survey by The Harris Poll, 70% of the employers who responded said they believe every company should screen candidates’ social media profiles during the hiring process. Moreover, 78% of employers believe that current employees should maintain a work-appropriate social media profile.

​It is evident how important social media is in a candidate securing a role. The study found that 55% of employers who use social media screenings said they have found content that caused them not to hire a candidate.

A voice from an expert

​Social media and digital marketing agency, Allies Group understands the landscape of social media and how it has impacted recruitment.

​David Stubbs, Creative Director from Allies Group describes how social media has impacted the world of recruitment. “From an agency perspective, we can see how much social media has impacted the way clients engage with prospective employees and brand their business.

​Traditional companies that in the past would have opted to advertise their vacancies either via their website or on a job board such as Indeed are now seeing social media as an avenue to engage and attract new employees.

​We tell businesses that social media is a window into their business, even if you are not advertising a vacancy, a passive candidate may not be actively looking for a job but could be wooed by an enticing job offer that is presented on social media. Up to 82% of employers recruit passive candidates successfully on social media.”

How have we adapted to the power of social media?

As the recruitment industry evolves, NRG has embraced change by integrating social media as a cornerstone of our strategy. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram have enabled us to amplify our online presence, reach a broader audience, and connect with both clients and candidates more effectively.

Social media is instrumental in promoting job opportunities, sharing industry insights, and fostering meaningful interactions. Sajida, one of our lead marketing recruitment consultants, highlights its importance:

"Social media has become an indispensable tool in the recruitment industry. At NRG, we’ve seamlessly integrated it into our strategy to connect with potential candidates, advertise roles, and track industry trends. It allows us to reach a wider talent pool and engage with clients on a personal level, resulting in more successful hires."

By incorporating social media into our marketing approach, we’ve not only expanded our audience but also enhanced the way we interact with candidates and clients. It’s a powerful tool that drives results and reflects our commitment to innovation in recruitment.