Social Recruiting Summit: Favorite Take Aways

The last thing I wanted to do this morning was board a train. Last night’s journey home from the Social Recruiting Summit in NYC via Amtrak, a trip that’s normally just shy of an hour – and I might add a trip that’s even shorter than my daily SEPTA commute into Philly, was four very long hours looooonnng.

The Amtrak crew kept the peace by announcing every 15 minutes or so that we’d be on our way “momentarily” = code any commuter knows is for “we have no idea, this may be a while folks.” It was, but I had a nice seat mate and a new iPhone to keep me busy.

What a great conference. Before it even started, I noted to those sitting around me that in all honesty, this was the first conference I actually begged asked to go to.

As one of Alstin’s professed social media evangelists, I wanted to take away insights, experiences and tips, plus meet some great people. I learned a lot. I did meet some very cool people and I’m so glad I went.

I attended alongside Jen Hitchens-Greenfield, Alstin’s Director of Interactive Services. We came into the city on Sunday. Had a fabulous dinner at Suenos. If you are a foodie go and try their “shrimp stack” appetizer and if you enjoy a cocktail, or two or three order the La Paloma – a margarita made with a grapefruit soda. It’s killer.

After that it was off to the Monster Social Tweetup event where quite possibly the worst picture ever taken of me is now online for all to see. This my friends redefines turtleneck. (At least this one is redeeming. That’s Jen there too getting her Monster fleece.) I ate chocolate covered bacon (not so killer) and can tell you that a great time was had by all at this event.

I walked into the Social Recruiting Summit yesterday morning and spied a large group of people milling about the entrance and what looked like a packed house inside. Nervous that it was SRO, I was happy to have one of the staff find seats for all of us – even though my seat was a barstool. Not the greatest for those who tower at a whopping five feet like me. But once the presentations started, I forgot that my feet were dangling (I’m kinda used to that anyway) and enjoyed the show.

If you attended and want to add your two cents, please do! If you didn’t and want to chat some more, I’m game. But be prepared, this post goes by way of my train ride – it is long.

My Favorite Take Aways From the Social Recruiting Summit

OK. First up: Keynote Speaker – Fred Wilson, Partner, Union Square Ventures:

• I learned that he has put venture capital behind many websites he’d like us all to take notice of.
• That he posts presentations prior to delivering them online and leaves them open for comment – love this idea for my own/Alstin’s purposes that is for sure.
• Targeted FaceBook ads aren’t just for the recruiters – job seekers are using them too and to their advantage.
• This is a really great recommendation that I will be passing on to many: Pick three things you used to do and stop doing them. Try three new things.
• It’s not as company-centric as it used to be, it’s a people-centric world.

Quick Hit - Carmen Hudson, TweetaJob

• When this woman’s name is spoken, I have a feeling there’s a chorus of, “She’s so great, isn’t she?”
• Create. Share. Ask. Answer. (promote)
• Keep it real, keep it interesting, keep it funny.
• I am now a Shark.
• I almost wish I attended her break out session – if you did, please share how great it was.

Social Recruiting Panel – Heather Tinguely, Microsoft; Kerry Noone, Sodexo and Ben Gotkin, RSM McGladrey

I’ve got a lot of notes from this session, but here are some key take-aways:

• We all think of FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn right off the bat, but Blogs just may be “where it’s at.”
• People learn in different ways so engage with them in different ways.
• If you are afraid of the negatives that may come with social media, stop being afraid. The negative comments you so fear are already out there.
• I will be checking out radian6.

Quick Hit – John Sumser, CEO & Founder, Two Color Hat

• Another break out session from another compelling speaker that I didn’t branch off to learn more from. Anyone have more to share? (I did think Prezi looked like pretty cool/fun presentation software. Will also be checking that one out. )

Social Recruiting from 30,000 Feet – Master Burnett, Managing Director, Dr. John Sullivan & Associates

• This was my personal favorite when it came to great tips. (I also hope Master is feeling better, what a trooper.)
• Encourage those in a senior manager role or greater to be responsible for establishing 10 new relationships per year (this includes a personal visit to that new contact) that result in at least two hires.
• Comcast has a “what not to do” example of a FaceBook Fan Page – don’t jumpstart a FB Fan Page with a message from Legal! Seems obvious, but they did just that.
• Play where the fish are – be highly targeted.
• In growing numbers, blue collar professionals are using their mobile devices vs. a computer for Internet access – don’t forget to make your career site mobile-ready.
• I will be checking out Technorati, BackType and BoardTracker.
• Really? You just add a plus sign to the end of a bit.ly URL for stats? I felt like a dork not knowing that one.

Building a Sustainable Approach to Recruiting – Susan Burns, Chief Talent Strategist, Talent Synchronicity

• This was an interactive/problem solving session. Here is an insider’s view of what went down.

Susan kicked off her interactive session by showcasing Innocentive. Yep, another great site to check out with an interesting factoid: 50% of the problems solved on the site are by those outside of the sphere of the business posing the challenge.

Quick Hit – Gerry Crispin, Chief Navigator, CareerXroads

• I know, this is getting redundant. I did not break out for Gerry’s talk. I stayed put (feet dangling) to hear Jessica Lee.
• I did find his pre-break out comments jam-packed with great stats including this one: 75% of those dipping their feet into social media have started a FaceBook Fan Page. All well and good, but as many presenters noted – please remember recruiters, FaceBook is not the be all, end all. People engage in different ways.

Social Media as Recruiting Equalizer – Jessica Lee, Employment Manager, APCO Worldwide

• If you are a recruiter feeling resistance, go rogue. (Can we all maybe find another buzz word for this? One not associated with a nitwit? Was that too political of me?)
• Start working social media and show the results to the decision makers – but be cautious and try not to step on too many toes.
• It didn’t surprise me, but it was comforting that her personal Twitter account had more followers than APCO Worldwide’s. (I see the same thing with my Twitter account and with Alstin’s.)

A big shout out to Laurie Ruettimann, Founder of PunkRockHR, for being a great Chairwoman and host of the event. Thanks to all the sponsors too. Now, it’s back to work!