Ignoring the internet as an important recruitment tool would be about as logical (and effective) as relying on a string stretched between two tin cans to communicate with someone on the other side of the country!
 
Recruitment professionals have access to more candidates today than was ever imagined possible — back in the day of “paper resumes”. Not only has the quantity of resumes grown in leaps and bounds, so too has the quality of candidates.
 

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Staffing professionals once relied on the newspaper classified section, television, radio and telephone to reach their audience. With the advent of the internet, job boards (like Monster and Careerbuilder) were all the rage. From there, pro’s moved to the “big job era”, utilizing the likes of Yahoo Jobs and others. Welcome to 2008 and the “era of Social Media”.
 
What’s the difference between traditional media and Social Media? Simply put, there are three basic differences:
 
1. Social Media is just that, it’s “social” because it relies on interactions between people. This new media allows for the exchange of ideas and information, as well as an opportunity for discussions in real time. In the staffing world, this gives hiring professionals the ability to receive unlimited, current resumes 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
2. Social Media is infinite while traditional media is finite. Television stations can only broadcast 24-hours each day, a newspaper is limited to a certain number of pages, etc. The staffing assistance rendered through Social Media is definitely limitless.
 
3. Traditional media cannot easily be changed. A newspaper can’t instantly change a story. CV’s can be updated, uploaded and sent anywhere in the world, to as many people as desired, in a matter of seconds.
 

Exactly what is “Social Media”? Well, I won’t give you Webster’s definition besides, that’s outdated already! Social Media is a broad term used to encompass any
number of activities that combine technology and social interaction – for the professionals in staffing that is a match made in heaven!
 
Some examples of Social Media you are probably familiar with (and may already be using) include internet forums, message boards, podcasts, blogs (like this one!), email, instant messaging, etc.
 
Incorporating “Social Media” in every-day staffing solutions is just smart business. There is no way to reach more people, more quickly than via the latest technology. Did you know the number of daily internet users has risen from 48 Million in 1996 to well over 1.1 Billion users today?
 
Social Media includes social networking sites, like Facebook (#1 in the 17-24 year-old crowd) and MySpace (with over 1 Million daily users). The United States is home to the largest social networking market, with 41 Million adults participating regularly. Most of us also commonly use media reference sites like Google and Wikipedia to gather information at the click of a mouse.
 
Some staffing professionals may have been dragged kicking and screaming into the brave new world of Social Media. Once there, however, the results are often immediate and users are hooked on this new way of interacting.
 
Around the world, companies are making the most of Social Media by:
 
- Use of video, photo and audio sharing sites to tell their unique story
 
- RSS (“Really Simple Syndication”) feeds – to get their information out beyond their own website
 
- Hosting “real” FAQs sections – candidates can ask questions and get their answers in real time
 
- Building relationships with online communities
 
 
If you’ve been considering taking the leap into the Social Media pool, “Come on in—the water is more than fine!”

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Lately I have had a discovery of stats about teen employment going down (19% in the last year). We currently have a 16 year old who is unemployed in our home. She has a difficult time getting hired and there are several reasons but a major one is her attire. She will pick up a application or drop it off in jeans and a t-shirt. Yeah, you get my frustration.
 
In recent studies I have seen say that 37% of job seekers being interviewed are not properly dressed and 55% of impressions are based on appearance. Could you be guilty of one of these top 20 fashion faux pas?
 
1. Carrying a backpack or fannypack instead of a briefcase or portfolio: Some image consultants suggest women ditch their purse, too!
 
2. Sunglasses on top of your head or headphones around your neck: Be sure to remove all your "transit gear" and tuck it in your briefcase before entering the lobby.
 
3. Too-short skirts: Forget what some of those gals on ‘The Apprentice’ are wearing. Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated.
 
4. The wrong tie: Ties should be made of silk, no less than three and a quarter inches wide with a conservative pattern. Image consultants say the best colors are red or burgundy.
 
5. Overly bright or large-patterned clothing: With the possible exception of creative fields like advertising or computer programming, it’s best to stick with navy, black or gray.
 
6. Heavy makeup on women (or any makeup on a man)
 
7. Earrings on men: In fact, men should avoid wearing any jewelry unless it is a wedding ring, class ring or metal watch.
 
8. More than one set of earrings on women
 

9. Facial piercings, tongue jewelry or visible tattoos
 
10. Ill-fitting clothes. Few people can wear things straight off the rack. Spending a little extra to have your garments tailored is a worthwhile investment.
 
11. Long fingernails, especially with bright or specialty polishes. Nails should look clean and be trimmed to a length that doesn’t leave an observer wondering how you keep from stabbing yourself.
 
12. Unnatural hair colors or styles. Remember, Donald Trump was a billionaire well before he began wearing a comb-over. If you’re balding, try a close-cropped cut like Bruce Willis or Matt Lauer.
 
13. Short-sleeved shirts, even worse when worn with a tie
 
14. Fishnets, patterned hosiery or bare legs (no matter how tan you are). Women should stick with neutral color hosiery that complements their suit.
 
15. Men whose socks don’t match their shoes, or whose socks are too short and leave a gap of flesh when they are seated
 
16. Rumpled or stained clothing: If interviewing late in the day, try to change to a fresh suit beforehand.
 
17. Scuffed or inappropriate footwear, including sneakers, stilettos, open-toed shoes and sandals
 
18. Strong aftershaves, perfumes or colognes: Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use a good quality bath soap.
 
19. Belts and shoes that don’t match: Shoes and belts should be made of leather or leather-like materials and the best colors for men are black or cordovan.
 
20. Telltale signs that your wearing a new suit. Remove all tags and extra buttons — and remember to cut off the zigzag thread that keeps pockets and slits closed!
 
Don’t be a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. Plan and lay out what you’re going to wear several days before the interview, so you’ll have time to shop or get garments pressed and cleaned.
 
Save "innovative" or revealing garb for the club (or your couch) and strive for crisp, clean and professional. Remember, you want the interviewer to be listening to what you’re saying, not critiquing what you’re wearing.

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