Social media has changed the way companies do business. Specifically, when it comes to hiring practices, social media services such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have revolutionized the employee hiring process, placing less emphasis on the role of the Human Resources department and more on personal engagement.
We at Coalition Technologies have been directly affected by this new wave of hiring through social media; in fact, it’s how we found our Social Media Manager.
The New Way to Stand Out and Be Noticed
Our current Social Media Manager was first introduced to us through Twitter. She engaged with our Twitter account, @CoalitionTech, where she interacted with us on a regular basis, replying to our tweets and retweeting many of our comments. She had a solid social media presence through Twitter, and she managed to establish a regular dialogue with our Twitter account.
When we advertised for the Social Media Manager position, she expressed interest in it and applied for the job—but not in the way you’d think.
She could have gone through our website, applying in the traditional way, but we may not have even seen her resume. Instead, she bypassed the gatekeeper completely, sending out a tweet to us indicating her desire to submit for the position:
“Looking to apply for the Social Media Manager Position @CoalitionTech.”
Because she’d engaged with us so often on Twitter, we recognized her handle and knew that she was serious about social media. Not only that; we had firsthand knowledge of her social media skills—she didn’t have to list them out on a resume because we knew that she had the experience to leverage social media for Coalition Technologies.
This is just one example of how social media is really revolutionizing how companies do business. It’s happening in all areas, not just when it comes to seeking out new employees.
The Social Media Revolution
Need tech support? You may not have to sit on the phone any longer. Most companies, both large and small, have a social media presence these days. And what’s more, the people on the other end are often more responsive and knowledgeable than their telephone counterparts. It’s a quicker, more efficient way to provide and receive support.
Companies also use social media to spread the word about new products, drum up business and respond to complaints. Searches and alerts provide a way for businesses to see what people are saying about them, as well as to reach out to new customers. It’s become important to both branding and reputation.
Networking is key to business, and social media has changed the way people connect. No longer do you have to attend boring lunches and meetings to find key contacts; just follow someone on Twitter and engage with them regularly. Just as our Social Media Manager did, by networking with a company or business person on Twitter, you’re making a contact that is just as vital as any you might have in real life.
Social media is a great way to network and, as we have discovered through firsthand experience, it has revolutionized hiring and business practices across industries.
Joel Gross is the Founder and CEO of Coalition Technologies. He holds a B.A. in Business/Finance from University of Washington and has over 7 years’ experience in SEO marketing. His mission is to boost his clients’ bottom line through Web design and SEO marketing. Follow him on his blog, Joelx.
Image: photobucket
