Beyond Job Portals: How Do You Find Candidates and Use Social Networks for Hiring?

Dear Members, I often receive queries during my interviews on the following areas. Can anyone help me with this?

Candidate Identification Beyond Job Portals

1. How do you identify/search candidates apart from job portals?

Search Tools and Social Networking Sites

2. Which other search tools/social networking sites are you familiar with, and how do you search on them?

Please let me know.

Regards, Senthil Kumar.G

Hello Senthil,

As a recruiter, one must be on their toes to look out for the best-fitting candidate. Job portals, which used to be full of the best resumes, are no longer the same, speaking from experience. Having screened several CVs myself, I have realized that one cannot rely solely on job portals. If we do, the vacant position may remain unfilled for an unknown period.

Different Ways to Source Candidates

1. Sourcing CVs from portals.
2. Asking for leads or references from candidates you have worked with or those you have contacted but who are not interested due to profile mismatch or recent job changes.
3. Using social media extensively. It can be challenging to find candidates on social media due to limited access and other reasons, but advertising the vacancy on social media can attract interested individuals.
4. Headhunting - building real relationships by meeting people in person. Personal connections and trust are crucial.

I recently read an article stating that using job portals to fill a vacancy helps hire the best available on the site/market but not necessarily the best in the market.

Understanding the Difference

Best on site/market - Active job seekers who post their CVs on job portals.

Best in market - Passive job seekers who do not actively circulate their CVs. They may, however, be interested in informal discussions after office hours or on weekends. They might be top talent hidden from recruiters because they are passively seeking jobs.

I hope this answers your query. 

Regards,
[Username]

Sourcing is a kind of creative thinking and challenging task. If your job portal is not providing any relevant profiles, consider using social media and professional networks. LinkedIn as a Professional Network

LinkedIn is one of the good professional networks. Apart from this, here are some other portals you might consider:

- indeed.com
- careesma.in
- freshersworld.com
- Skillpages
- careerage

Let me know if you need more information or assistance.

Thank you.

I agree that it is the age of the internet, but the tried and tested method of using your references, talking to them on the phone, during get-togethers, and then spreading the word among your school friends, college mates, and former colleagues will yield some surprising results. Well-placed posters in campuses, libraries, institutes, and certain commercial establishments also attract a diverse crowd. Sometimes, free lectures at college campuses are well-received with handouts.

Do ask your peers and colleagues for references.

Regards,
Gaurav Khanna