Why You Should Use Facebook for Recruiting

Over the weekend, Mashable.com posted a pretty snazzy infographic on why you should use Facebook when you're hiring. Everyone knows that everyone is on Facebook, but here are some enticing figures to back that up: According to Alexa.com, Faceook is the "second most trafficked website in the world trailing only Google" and "85 percent of Internet users have Facebook accounts." That's a pretty convincing statistic right there and should at least open the door in your mind to considering it as a recruiting tool.

On the other hand, also over the weekend, Mashable.com posted this conflicting story: Five ways social media could be hurting your job search. Huh?

This other piece is aimed more at the other side of the fence, the job-seekers, but it's still stuff you should be aware of as an employer -- and maybe not blow out of proportion in your considerations. Except for maybe point No. 2 on the list: If you're on social media, you better be using it. Here's why:

If you don’t have the time for social media, don’t make an account. An empty or barren social media profile says that you start things you can’t finish and aren’t taking advantage of the tools you have.

This reminds me an old tip I once heard growing up: If you're having a lunch interview, don't salt your food before you taste it. That gives the impression your mind is already made up about things before you experience them. Don't do the same to someone who could hook you up with a coveted new job -- and in this economy, any job at all is coveted. So take all of this with a grain of salt, but, yeah, taste what's on your plate first. 
 

David Wolinsky is a freelance writer and a lifelong Chicagoan. In addition to currently serving as an interviewer-writer for Adult Swim, he's also a columnist for EGM. He was the Chicago city editor for The Onion A.V. Club where he provided in-depth daily coverage of this city's bustling arts/entertainment scene for half a decade. When not playing video games for work he's thinking of dashing out to Chicago Diner, Pizano's, or Yummy Yummy. His first career aspirations were to be a game-show host.

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