Job Seekers Find New Rules Of Recruitment

From NPR

With the unemployment rate at 9.4 percent and ticking up, millions
of Americans are in the job market for the first time in several years.

But
the job market has changed in that short time. The paper resume is
laughably passe, at least in some circles. Not having a profile on the
social networking site LinkedIn is, for some employers, not only a
major liability but a sign that the candidate is horribly out of touch.

"If
someone sends us a paper resume folded in thirds, stuffed in an
envelope, it's hard to take it seriously," says Glenn Kelman, chief
executive of Redfin, an online real estate brokerage.

Kelman
says he has friends in their 30s and 40s who just missed the social
networking boat and now need coaching in how things have changed.

For
example, he says blogs and Facebook pages have gone from mere kids'
play to essential for communicating with employers online. Someone
applying for a job in marketing, for example, will do much better in an
interview if he or she already commands an audience through a blog.
People in sales look better if they can prove they have a broad network
of contacts in their field.

These new rules especially hold true
in the high-tech fields, where being up to the minute is considered
essential. But even other industries are following suit.

Job applicants are required to submit their resumes digitally at UMB Financial, a bank based in Kansas City, Mo.

"We
get very few paper resumes," says Pat Cassady, the director of
recruitment at UMB. Cassady says 10 to 12 percent of UMB hires come
through LinkedIn, and she searches niche networking sites for active
users who might be promising business leaders. She is even planning to
use Twitter to reach out to new recruits.

Job Seeker Faux Pas

Hiring managers say they stay clear of candidates who make these digital job-seeking mistakes:

• Not having an updated profile, with recommendations, on sites like LinkedIn or similar sites relating to your line of work


• Having a husband-and-wife e-mail address


• Having an AOL address. Some executives say those are very outdated.


• Not doing extensive research about the company, its culture and the position you're applying for


• Not filing your resume digitally, even if you bring paper backups


• "Cold" e-mailing executives with whom you've never made a prior connection, either online or in person


• Asking an executive you're hoping will hire you to be your "friend" on Facebook

Listen Now

Comments:

Wolf Proctor (playawolf) wrote:

Facebook
will never replace face time, and any company basing hiring solely on
social networking profiles are probably flash-in-the-pan outfits
themselves and aren't worth working for in the long run.

Thursday, June 18, 2009 2:23:03 AM

Tom Nimtz (Oldsalt) wrote:

If
you don't want HR people (or anyone else) to see your facebook profile,
just click private. Then your pictures of the New Years Heave party are
yours and your friends. If you open your profile to anyone, be prepared
for anyone and everyone to surf through. Do all the people commenting
on e-mail addresses or whatever wear shorts and flip flops to an
interview, or do you dress up a bit...?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 8:57:40 PM

Ronald Johnson (DoctorWoo) wrote:

The point is they see the real you, not the fake person on that Resume you had your sister type. Anyone for Truth?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 6:48:31 PM

MiMi Agnew (MiMi5749) wrote:

The
more I re-read this article and the blogs,the sadder it seems for out
of work people to get a job.What unemployed people no longer have
access to a computer,simply because they are out of work!?they are
denied an opportunity to get in the workforce.Not a fare game.

What
is wrong with cold mailing?Im glad one of the bloggers actually got a
job that way.That is how it may have to be done the more people lose
their livleyhoods.

I think personal upfront interviewing is the best.That way you really get to know your candidate.

Really
I think this article about the HR department shows just how lazy and
inconsiderate they are to people who are out of work and simply need a
job.Very Sad sad, yet informative article.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 6:45:02 PM

Ronald Johnson (DoctorWoo) wrote:

Wake up call to all those citizens that don't understand the words "piblic domain" ie. THE INTERNET!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 6:44:44 PM