Tips

The Pros and Cons of Recruiting Through Social Media

Pros and cons of recruiting through social media
Tiffany Moore headshot.
Tiffany Moore
VP, Client Partnerships
June 6, 2023
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It’s tempting to rely on social media for your hiring needs. Chances are, you have an active account on several social and professional platforms. You’re already connected to a broad audience, and you can use social media to get a first look at potential candidates. However, recruiting solely through online networks has its drawbacks as well. It’s one of the reasons why That’s Good HR takes a personal approach to staffing.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of recruiting through social media.

Social media recruiting advantages

When it comes to finding the right person for the job, social media can generate quick leads. According to Zippia research, 84% of organizations recruit via social media. Some of the advantages can seem obvious:

  • Job listings can be posted quickly.
  • Recruiting may not carry an initial cost.
  • Social media can act as a referral service when someone within your network shares your listing.
  • Your opening may reach passive jobseekers who aren’t actively searching for a new position.

Social media recruiting disadvantages

But just as every coin has a flip side, social media recruiting has its drawbacks as well. Social media may not be an effective tool for finding the best candidates, and here’s why:

Online profiles can be unreliable

It can be tempting to peek at a candidate’s social media presence before you start the interview process. Let’s face it. You don’t always get the full picture from someone’s sanitized and polished profile. You may miss out on pertinent information if someone hasn’t updated their profile in a while. Additionally, you could be scrutinizing the wrong person – lots of people have similar names and can show up in a quick online search.

You may be limited by character constraints

Social media has been designed for quick check-ins and conversations. Some channels limit how much you can say or share in a post. Although you may be able to add a link to your job listing, you can’t guarantee that candidates are going to click on it.

Your message doesn’t always reach the right audience

Social media channels have spent a lot of time and research deciding which posts show up at the top of your feed and which get buried under the avalanche of baby announcements and lunch descriptions. Even if you set your profile to public, you cannot guarantee that your job listings connect with the best candidates.

There are a lot of fraudulent job listings

Unfortunately, social media job listings also include unscrupulous schemes designed to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting job seekers. Of course, you’re legitimate, but someone who has been burned by a fake listing may be less likely to respond to any online opportunities.

Social media can feed into your biases

Suppose you have an interesting candidate. You check out her TikTok and discover that she holds a certain opinion. Or, you look at his Instagram account and discover he spends his free time doing something you think is boring. It is easy to focus on someone’s flaws when you’re only viewing them through a social media lens.

Finding the right candidate can take a lot of work

When you post a listing on social media, you’re opening your inbox up to everyone. It takes time to sift through the potential candidates and weed out those who aren’t qualified or don’t match your company’s personality and priorities. Finding the right candidate on social media can lead to an inefficient recruiting process.

How can That’s Good HR give you the hiring advantage?

That’s Good HR uses a unique combination of social media recruiting and personal interviews to identify qualified candidates for your open position. We start each match by talking to employers to find out what’s important. Our recruiters also work with potential candidates to understand their qualifications and professional plans. With our vast talent pool, we can often locate qualified candidates in days. We also take on the task of picking the best of the best, allowing you to focus on the top matches.

Social media can be a recruiting tool, but That’s Good HR is your recruiting specialist. How can we give your company a hiring advantage? Let’s talk soon.

Tips

Understanding Generation Z in the Workplace

Understanding Generation Z in the Workplace
Greta Cline, CFO
Greta Cline
Partner, CFO/COO
May 18, 2023
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They’re known as Generation Z, a designation for anyone born since 1997. As they enter the workforce, these youngest employees bring unique traits and talents that will reshape the business world. They currently account for about 13 percent of the workforce, but by the end of the decade they’ll make up a third of all employees. What do you need to know about hiring – and retaining – this generation?

Key Generation Z characteristics

As Generation Z enters the workplace, it’s important to know what’s important to them. Here are a few common defining characteristics we discovered in our research.

Money matters

They may have a reputation for being less materialistic than their parents and grandparents, but Generation Z still has money on their minds. Remember, this is a generation who grew up during the Great Recession. They may be carrying student debt. They worry that they’ll never achieve the American Dream of homeownership and financial security. They also believe they need more money than other generations to achieve financial security.

Generation Z is tech savvy

Generation Z didn’t have to be taught how to use smart phones and other emerging technology. They grew up with it, from the tablet designed to stimulate their toddler minds to the social media apps that their parents struggle to keep up with. They want to come to a workplace that is already outfitted with the latest technology. In fact, more than a quarter of Generation Z workers say outdated technology would affect their work performance.

They value inclusion

Generation Z is the most ethnically and racially diverse generation yet. They place a high importance on workplace inclusivity and the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many Generation Z employees actively seek a company whose values and culture reflect their own. A diverse workforce can seem more welcoming to a new employee who places a priority on such matters.

They like to work from home

This generation may have spent their last years of high school or college navigating the remote work model, thanks to pandemic shutdown. They understand remote technology and communicating via screens rather than in-person. They had a crash course in online collaboration and feel quite comfortable working remotely. Even so, a handful of them want to be with people at work. According to a study from GOBankingRates.com, 17 percent of the Generation Z respondents preferred hybrid schedules, while 14 percent said they didn’t want to work remotely at all.

They are always open to new professional opportunities

That’s a nice way of saying this group isn’t afraid to switch jobs for something they perceive as better. They don’t worry about a reputation for job-hopping. Instead, they are prepared to move on to another workplace to achieve their professional goals.

Hiring and retaining the Generation Z employee

Generation Z has proven themselves to be adaptable and can take on different roles within the organization. Their ability to adapt to changing circumstances is an ideal trait in a crisis situation. However, they may be harder to retain, making onboarding and continued collaboration a priority for employers who need a stable workforce. Follow the suggestions below to welcome and maintain a Generation Z workforce.

Mentor Generation Z as needed

Generation Z is always on the lookout for new growth opportunities, either within or outside of your organization. By nurturing a collaborative culture in the workplace – whether on-site or remotely – companies can ensure that these newest workers feel comfortable asking questions and seeking out guidance.

Consider a remote or hybrid schedule

If your company can function with a remote or hybrid schedule, consider offering the option to your employees. Be careful, however, about isolating employees who are working from home. Plan regular communication through online meetings and occasional onsite gatherings.

Offer a competitive compensation package

Generation Z – like most of us – still focuses on the bottom line. Make sure your company salaries are in line with the local market, and consider other perks like paid time off, health and wellness benefits and mental health plans.

Working with Generation Z

Gen Z may be unfairly battling a stereotype of a poor work ethic and a reluctance to work as hard as their coworkers did in their 20s. Leave that stereotype at the office door. Gen Z employees – like all generations – tend to work better in a collaborative environment with coworkers who treat them as equals. There’s a lot you can learn from Gen Z, especially in a changing business environment that embraces new technology and standards.

Reach out to them

Even if you and your Gen Z colleagues are working a hybrid or remote schedule, remember that Gen Z is still looking for workplace connections. Use your company’s messaging system and onsite meetings to get to know each other.

Share resources

Gen Z experiences anxiety at almost double the levels reported by millennial and Gen X generations, and triple the levels of anxiety reported by Baby Boomers. Resist the urge to scoff at these statistics and instead be open to sharing company resources and coping skills that have worked in your experience.

Be open to learning from them.

Businesses flourish when they are open to change. Don’t discount new ideas from the newbies. In addition to being tech savvy, Gen Z’s ability to adapt may be invaluable during a crisis situation. That’s going to benefit everyone at work.

Today’s workforce continues to change and evolve. Fortunately, That’s Good HR takes pride in staying on top of the latest hiring trends and can help facilitate communications different generations. Let us help you meet your hiring and job search challenges.

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