How the supply chain can use social media as a tool to hire great talent

How the supply chain can use social media as a tool to hire great talent

Hiring the wrong person is a costly mistake not only financially, but also in terms of team morale and productivity.  Making the right hire is crucial.

Research conducted by the PewResearch Internet Project found that in 2013 73 percent of online adults used a social networking site of some kind.  The percentage is even higher for job seekers – 89 percent.  Given the high prevalence of use, it is likely that your talent pool is on at least one social networking site.  Hiring managers and HR professionals within the supply chain industry should use this reality to hire great supply chain talent. great talent

Social media is increasingly being used by hiring managers and HR professionals in their hiring process.  More than one third of employers use social media in their hiring practices, here’s why you should follow suit.

A study conducted by CareerBuilder.com found that 65 percent of employers who use social media to screen candidates do so to see how the candidate presents themselves professionally.  Fifty-one percent of employers used social media to see if the candidate would be a good match for the company’s culture, and 45 percent reported that they used social media to further research the candidate’s qualifications.

Of those employers who use social media in their hiring process, 34 percent reported that they found content that resulted in them not hiring a candidate.  Close to 50 percent of reported that they did not hire a candidate because of inappropriate material in their profile, and 45 reported they did not make the hire because of indications of drinking and/or drug abuse. Other negatives found by the employer were poor communication skills, criticizing former employers, and making prejudicial comments.

A candidate’s social media profile and use can also provide employers with information that can push a candidate to the top of the list.  Approximately 29 percent of employers reported that they hired a candidate because their social media profile supported professional qualifications and/or contained a great reference about the candidate.  Additionally, employers reported that they hired a candidate because their social media profile showed that the candidate was creative, well-rounded, or had great communication skills.

One thing to keep in mind – all  information found online and via social media needs to be treated in the same manner as information found via traditional sources.  All hiring practices must abide by state and federal laws relating to fair and equal hiring.

Social media is a great tool that can assist hiring managers and HR professionals hire great talent.

Here’s what the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries need to know about talent

Here’s what the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries need to know about talent

According to the 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study,  job seekers looking for a position with the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries are using the internet and social media not only to look for jobs, but also to research companies within these industries.

Candidates use the internet and social media throughout their job search

The CareerBuilder study looked at the behavior of candidates throughout the four phases of their job search (orientation, consideration, action, and engagement) and found that the internet and social media were used throughout each of the phases.  (See Figure 1 for a definition of each of the four phases.)

Figure 1: The four phases of the the job search
supply chain talentSource: 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study

Job seekers in the orientation and consideration phases have not yet applied for a job at your company.  Instead they are assessing the market, learning about an industry, and learning about companies within the industry.  These stages are very much knowledge seeking phases for the candidate.  Companies who are positioned right can attract great talent during these phases.  However, companies who do not have a strong online presence and who do not participate in social media will not catch the eye of job seekers.  Think of it as speed dating – you only have a short period of time to make an impression.  According to the Neilson Norman Group you have 10 to 20 seconds to make that great impression.  If you don’t make a great impression during those few seconds the user will navigate away from your website.  Therefore you need to make sure that your website is visually engaging, easy to navigate, and contains quality and informative content.

When a candidate reaches the action stage they not only apply to jobs, they also conduct more in-depth research about a company, and form opinions based on the application experience.  Candidates are not afraid to share their experience with the application process.  Fifty percent of candidates share bad experiences with others and 64 percent share positive experiences.

In the engagement stage candidates interact with employers, interview for positions, and consider offers.  Ninety-one percent of candidates believe employment brand plays a role in their decision whether or not to apply – therefore it is at this stage where your company’s online presence and participation in social media pays off.

How do candidates looking for a position within the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries approach their job search?  Let’s look.

Manufacturing industry

As shown in Figure 2, within the orientation stage, 85 percent of candidates looking for a job within the manufacturing industry turned to Google and 75 used a job board.  In the consideration stage 83 percent used a company’s career site and 65 percent used social media to learn more about the company.

In the action stage 67 percent of candidates reported that they conducted additional research on an employer.  In this stage only 14 percent of candidates reported employers in the manufacturing industry to be responsive.

Finally, looking at the final stage of the candidate’s journey, 67 percent reported that they felt the employer brand to be important.

 Figure 2: The four phases of the job search; manufacturing industry

manufacturing industry talent

Source: 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study

Transportation and warehousing industries

Figure 3 shows that within the orientation stage 86 percent of candidates looking for a job within the transportation and warehousing industries turned to Google and 71 percent used a job board.  In the consideration stage 87 percent used a company’s career site and 64 percent used social media to learn more about the company.

In the action stage 65 percent of candidates reported that they conducted additional research on an employer.  In this stage only 15 percent of candidates reported employers to be responsive.

In the engagement phase, 75 percent of candidates reported that they felt the employer brand to be important.

Figure 3: The four phases of the job search; manufacturing industry

transportation industry talent

Source: 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study

In the end

Candidates looking for jobs within the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries are using the internet and social media.  They are researching these industries and researching companies within these industries.  They are forming opinions, acting on these opinions, and sharing their opinions with others.

If the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries want to attract great talent and retain their interest throughout a candidate’s job search they need to invest in their online presence and become active in social media.

Here’s what the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries need to know about talent

Here’s what the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries need to know about talent

According to the 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study,  job seekers looking for a position with the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries are using the internet and social media not only to look for jobs, but also to research companies within these industries.

Candidates use the internet and social media throughout their job search

The CareerBuilder study looked at the behavior of candidates throughout the four phases of their job search (orientation, consideration, action, and engagement) and found that the internet and social media were used throughout each of the phases.  (See Figure 1 for a definition of each of the four phases.)

Figure 1: The four phases of the the job search
supply chain talentSource: 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study

Job seekers in the orientation and consideration phases have not yet applied for a job at your company.  Instead they are assessing the market, learning about an industry, and learning about companies within the industry.  These stages are very much knowledge seeking phases for the candidate.  Companies who are positioned right can attract great talent during these phases.  However, companies who do not have a strong online presence and who do not participate in social media will not catch the eye of job seekers.  Think of it as speed dating – you only have a short period of time to make an impression.  According to the Neilson Norman Group you have 10 to 20 seconds to make that great impression.  If you don’t make a great impression during those few seconds the user will navigate away from your website.  Therefore you need to make sure that your website is visually engaging, easy to navigate, and contains quality and informative content.

When a candidate reaches the action stage they not only apply to jobs, they also conduct more in-depth research about a company, and form opinions based on the application experience.  Candidates are not afraid to share their experience with the application process.  Fifty percent of candidates share bad experiences with others and 64 percent share positive experiences.

In the engagement stage candidates interact with employers, interview for positions, and consider offers.  Ninety-one percent of candidates believe employment brand plays a role in their decision whether or not to apply – therefore it is at this stage where your company’s online presence and participation in social media pays off.

How do candidates looking for a position within the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries approach their job search?  Let’s look.

Manufacturing industry

As shown in Figure 2, within the orientation stage, 85 percent of candidates looking for a job within the manufacturing industry turned to Google and 75 used a job board.  In the consideration stage 83 percent used a company’s career site and 65 percent used social media to learn more about the company.

In the action stage 67 percent of candidates reported that they conducted additional research on an employer.  In this stage only 14 percent of candidates reported employers in the manufacturing industry to be responsive.

Finally, looking at the final stage of the candidate’s journey, 67 percent reported that they felt the employer brand to be important.

 Figure 2: The four phases of the job search; manufacturing industry

manufacturing industry talent

Source: 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study

Transportation and warehousing industries

Figure 3 shows that within the orientation stage 86 percent of candidates looking for a job within the transportation and warehousing industries turned to Google and 71 percent used a job board.  In the consideration stage 87 percent used a company’s career site and 64 percent used social media to learn more about the company.

In the action stage 65 percent of candidates reported that they conducted additional research on an employer.  In this stage only 15 percent of candidates reported employers to be responsive.

In the engagement phase, 75 percent of candidates reported that they felt the employer brand to be important.

Figure 3: The four phases of the job search; manufacturing industry

transportation industry talent

Source: 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study

In the end

Candidates looking for jobs within the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries are using the internet and social media.  They are researching these industries and researching companies within these industries.  They are forming opinions, acting on these opinions, and sharing their opinions with others.

If the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries want to attract great talent and retain their interest throughout a candidate’s job search they need to invest in their online presence and become active in social media.

How to attract great supply chain talent

How to attract great supply chain talent

If the supply chain industry is going to attract new and qualified talent, it needs a face lift.  The industry needs to be proactive.  It needs to communicate what it is, what is currently happening within the industry, and what is in store for the future.

Who is responsible for making change possible?  You.

Job seekers turn to the Internet for information. Job seekers not only use the internet to search for job openings, they also use the Internet to research industries, companies, and key players.  The information job seekers gather by looking at websites, blog posts, articles, and social media  shape their opinion and knowledge.  According to the 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study 63 percent of job seekers turn to social media to learn about the employment brand of a company.  Specifically, job seekers look to social media to learn about the culture of a company, to learn if the company is a thought leader, and to determine the authenticity of the employment brand.

supply chain talent

Job seekers are likely seeing sensational headlines like this recent one from ForbesWanted: 1.4 million new supply chain workers by 2018.  But what do they find when they move forward with their search for information on the supply chain industry and on your company?

The reality is that the supply chain industry has been slow to participate in social media and has been remiss when it comes to blogging.  Even more basic, many companies within the supply chain industry do not recognize the value of their website and have created sites which provide little to no helpful information, are difficult to navigate, and are not up to date.

According to the CareerBuilder Study, 91 percent of candidates believe employment brand plays a role in their decision whether or not to apply.

If your company is going to attract great supply chain talent you need to step up to the plate.  Make changes to your website, create and curate great content, and get active on social media.

Great talent is on the Internet.  If you want to attract great talent you need to be there too.

How to attract great supply chain talent

How to attract great supply chain talent

If the supply chain industry is going to attract new and qualified talent, it needs a face lift.  The industry needs to be proactive.  It needs to communicate what it is, what is currently happening within the industry, and what is in store for the future.

Who is responsible for making change possible?  You.

Job seekers turn to the Internet for information. Job seekers not only use the internet to search for job openings, they also use the Internet to research industries, companies, and key players.  The information job seekers gather by looking at websites, blog posts, articles, and social media  shape their opinion and knowledge.  According to the 2013 CareerBuilder Candidate Behavior Study 63 percent of job seekers turn to social media to learn about the employment brand of a company.  Specifically, job seekers look to social media to learn about the culture of a company, to learn if the company is a thought leader, and to determine the authenticity of the employment brand.

supply chain talent

Job seekers are likely seeing sensational headlines like this recent one from ForbesWanted: 1.4 million new supply chain workers by 2018.  But what do they find when they move forward with their search for information on the supply chain industry and on your company?

The reality is that the supply chain industry has been slow to participate in social media and has been remiss when it comes to blogging.  Even more basic, many companies within the supply chain industry do not recognize the value of their website and have created sites which provide little to no helpful information, are difficult to navigate, and are not up to date.

According to the CareerBuilder Study, 91 percent of candidates believe employment brand plays a role in their decision whether or not to apply.

If your company is going to attract great supply chain talent you need to step up to the plate.  Make changes to your website, create and curate great content, and get active on social media.

Great talent is on the Internet.  If you want to attract great talent you need to be there too.