If you as an employer have any doubts about the importance of social media for a job search, career development and networking, you could be potentially missing out great employees.  Recruitment using social media has become in the last few years, arguably the most effective way to research, screen and hire potential employees.

The question is – are your social media applications ready to be viewed by job seekers, your current employer or a prospective employer?  Statistics show that 37% of employers use social networks to screen potential candidates, 65% said they utilize to get more information about the candidates and 45% want to verify their qualifications.

Equally for job hunters, if you are not social network and mobile app savvy, in addition to meeting companies, regardless of your age or generation, you are potentially missing out on many more job and career opportunities.

In today’s society, managers aren’t just screening your social media profiles to dig up dirt; they’re also looking for information that could possibly give you an advantage, which is very interesting.  In a recent survey, 29% of surveyed hiring managers found something positive on a profile that drove them to offer the candidate a job.

For companies and job seekers alike, social networks are going to be a primary way to network, get noticed, find qualified candidates and potential job opportunities and should be embraced with open arms.

Social media is the way forward and has been embraced by myself since commencing at Eden Ritchie Recruitment and I am enjoying using these tools to find the “perfect candidate for our clients”.