Dr. John Sullivan authored the article “13 Trends In Corporate Recruiting for 2009.” He’s a smart guy and another thought leader in the world of recruiting … kind of the Faith Popcorn of recruiting.� When he speaks, I listen.
Here are a few of the trends he sees for the upcoming year, and my take on how they affect you as a passive candidate.
–Upgrading employment branding
According to John, employment branding is THE hottest trend right now and into the future. If it is hot for employers, it is also hot for candidates. What better way to show that you are a fit for a strong branded company then by positioning yourself to appeal directly to their message?
Differentiation is key to standing out from the crowd. A strong branded communication message will attract like brands and repel misfits, making finding that next right opportunity much easier and less time intensive.
–Reinvigorating referral programs
“… the highest volume and quality candidates still come from well-designed employee referral programs.”
Networking, BEFORE you need to network, is critical to rubbing elbows with employees who know about unpublished, quality opportunities. Spending 15 minutes a day cultivating and nurturing an online and offline network, building trust and helping others BEFORE you need to ask for their help, will go a long way towards keeping you top-of-mind for future opportunities.
–Utilizing social networks
Recruiting passive candidates from social networking sites is hot and will shortly become mainstream. Which means, you MUST be where recruiters are looking. If you aren’t on Linked In, Zoom Info, and Ziggs,�and you can’t be found in a Google search, you may be deemed to be extinct.
–Using employee blogs for recruiting
“The very best firms use blogs not just to spread their message but also to answer questions and to make their company appear more “real” and approachable.”
What better way to position yourself as a thought leader, visionary, or subject expert then through a blog read by your target audience? Companies are quickly waking up to the power of blogs … and even microblogs like Twitter … and they are just as powerful as part of a branded communication strategy for passive candidates.