My last post discussed developing and leveraging top talent databases. Today, we’re going to discuss how you can establish strong strategic relationships that grow with your company. In other words, we’re going to talk about networking.
Networking involves developing relationships beyond the initial purpose of contact so that both parties reap the benefits of working together. It is about building relationships that meet the short- and long term needs of both parties. And it’s about reaching out to individuals who would make perfect candidates as well as individuals who can reach out to potential candidates.
There are two types of online networks that make the job of an HR Manager easier: professional networking and social networking.
Professional Networking
Professional networking is used to improve and grow one’s business circle. It’s about making communication between professionals easier. It’s about building referral bases and business contacts through the “friends” features. And it’s about sharing leads, sharing non-confidential company information, and helping each other grow within their current businesses.
Used correctly, professional networks can help HR managers find qualified top talent candidates. In fact, a post on your page letting others know you’re looking for a specific candidate could generate several hundred qualified leads. And sometimes, top candidates just fall into your lap via connections—even without your ever mentioning a need.
The top professional networks are: Ryze (http://www.ryze.com/), Tribe (http://tribe.net), LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/),
Social Networking
Social networking is used to build relationships with like-minded individuals. It’s about making meeting new people easier. It’s about being able to let one’s hair down.
Used correctly, social networks can help HR Managers weed out bad seeds and find candidates who more closely match the needs of their employers. In fact, locating a potential candidate on social networks can help HR managers get a better understanding of what the candidate may be like to work with on a regular basis—something that can’t be found on a resume or list of references.
The top social networks are: MySpace (http://myspace.com), FaceBook (http://facebook.com), YouTube (http://youtube.com), Orkut (http://orkut.com), and Friendster (http://friendster.com). And don’t forget alumni associations like Classmates (http://classmates.com).
In the end, professional and social networks allow HR Managers to find those needles in the haystack, obtain referrals they can trust and respect, and develop new contacts—contacts that lead to strong business relationships.
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