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The 3 Worst Social Media Recruiting Mistakes

Steve Lowisz
Every recruiter leverages social media. 

As a recruiter, it’s a must. But in order to get real results from your time on LinkedIn and other platforms, you have to use them wisely. 

Here are three ways that recruiters screw up on social media. These mistakes are different, but they all drive away potential candidates and stand in the way of your next placement. 

They Never Post 

The recruiters who get the most out of social media understand the importance of posting regularly. It’s best to post daily, but even a few times a week is better than none.

Why post? Because it gives you a chance to interact with your followers and connections. Ask questions, post opinions, share perspectives, etc.

By posting, you give people insight into who you are as a person. It allows candidates to see that there’s a real human behind the screen, not just a robot. 

They Only Talk About Their Job Openings 

Sure, a lot of other recruiters post all the time...but many post only about their job openings.

The problem with this is that it means you’re only ever talking about YOUR needs. Nobody likes a person who only talks about themselves!

If you want to make real connections and engage top talent, you need to offer value. Offer advice for employers and candidates alike. Share your perspective on current trends. Give suggestions to job hunters, and show you care. Drop into comment threads to applaud others or answer their questions.

By doing so, you can start a conversation that will later lead to presenting someone with a job opportunity. It’s all about getting your foot in the door and expanding your network. 

They Don’t Put Care Into Their Profile 

We’ve all seen someone with a profile picture from 2011...you don’t want to be that guy! Use a recent, high-quality professional headshot. Make sure your bio clearly explains who you are and what you offer to candidates.

If people don’t understand what you do or who you work for, it becomes harder for them to trust you.
Your profile should be like a firm handshake and a strong introduction. After all, you only get one chance to make a positive first impression! 

Social Media Can Help You or Hurt You 

The truth is, being on social media can either help you or hurt you as a recruiter. You can abuse it and damage your reputation in your industry, or you can use it wisely and make more of an impact than ever before. 
By focusing on putting other people first and adding real value, you can expand your network, talk to more candidates, and ultimately make great placements.  

If you're a recruiter who's serious about advancing your career by making better hires, start our Recruiter Certification Program today!