There’s been a lot of online discussion lately about whether or not it is good practice for recruiters to check the Facebook pages or the Twitter bios and Tweets of potential candidates. Some people find this intrusive but in this age of YouTube and camera phones what I find the most puzzling is that people seem genuinely surprised that they are more visible than they realize and that people are actually paying attention to what they are posting.
From a recruiter’s perspective, social media is a valuable tool that provides information about candidates such as personality, skills, experience, and personal values, which in turn helps to determine whether or not someone “fits” with a team, an organization or a job. That intel doesn’t preclude me from exploring a candidate’s application any further, but it does shape my discussion with them, identifies possible gaps and guides the questions that I ask. Above all, I value face to face communication and personal dialogue the most; however, email, phone conversations, Skype meetings and social media are viable ways to augment and solidify a relationship. Online conversations have validity, but they do not replace face-to-face communications.
Fundraisers are busy people; they don’t always have time for coffee meetings and as a general rule are chatty, friendly and love to share ideas so it’s no wonder so many of us are using social media. Let’s be clear:
I do research potential candidates on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter before I meet with them but I don’t necessarily veto candidates because of a questionable picture or a strange Tweet.
Why?
1. Electronic communications are a tough medium to convey emotion and there have been many a misunderstanding started by someone taking a dim view of an email meant in jest or an autocorrected text message.
2. While a picture can be worth a thousand words, they can also be electronically altered (and who doesn’t have an embarrassing milestone birthday photo taken by a best friend?).
3. Hackers are tremendously talented folk who love to wreak havoc whenever and wherever they can so just because an email has someone’s address attached to it doesn’t mean they actually wrote or sent that message. It’s all so 007 James Bond-like that your judgement barometer needs some latitude built into it.
The bottom line
There are real people behind those Twitter and LinkedIn bios and Facebook pages with loads of fundraising talent, humor and expertise who could be the next successful candidate in a search for a charitable client. Social media is just one of many tools but it doesn’t replace face-to-face conversations and candid discussions. Just like credit scores, everyone should be familiar with their Google search results page. When you Google yourself, do you like what you see? Will I? Will your kids? If not, you best address that because the world is watching.
I’d love to hear what matters to you. Share your thoughts here or connect with me:
Twitter: @MichelleRegel
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michelle-regel/14/6b3/799
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