According to the survey results, more than 80% of companies use or plan to start using social networks for recruitment, and more than half said they had successfully hired a candidate found through a social network. The most popular social recruiting channels include LinkedIn (78%), Facebook (55%) and Twitter (45%). LinkedIn was not only the most popular, but also provided the most success – about 90% of companies who have hired through a social network reported they found the candidate on LinkedIn.

The 2010 Jobvite Social Recruiting Survey found that the success in this area is leading employers to increase recruiting program spending on social media and decrease spending on more expensive recruiting channels, like job boards and search firms. When it comes down to candidate quality, survey respondents rated social networks significantly higher than job boards.

Companies are continuing the look for the most cost effective, efficient way to reach new talent. Through social networking, recruiters can find the right talent without making a major investment. Does your company recruit through social networks? Have you found this method to be successful?

Who has two thumbs and likes the NEW LinkedIn Group interface and functionality? (Two thumbs thumping into my chest) “This guy” Yup, I’m that guy.

For those who haven’t noticed or have been ignoring LinkedIn lately, the Groups have changed and I’m loving it.

I’ll leave my favorite new feature that received my two thumbs held the highest until the end, just to create some blogging suspense. I’ll start with my one thumb up and a couple of head nods… it goes to…..

• Latest Posts

I like what they did here. I’m a fan of the scrolling bar and being able to scan the groups discussions so you can easily read what’s happening now, in the past hour etc.. It’s much more user-friendly — you can easily comment on specific questions. You can even “like” a post (hmmm, where did they get that from? They probably could have consulted an online thesaurus so they weren’t completely ripping off Facebook… my choice would have been “fancy” as in “I fancy that discussion on the latest developments and implementation of social networking in the strawberry rhubarb pie industry”).

Next, two thumbs up – but not way up – goes to…

• “Most Popular Discussions”

Instead of sifting through hundreds and hundreds of discussions, now LinkedIn highlights the most popular posts so you can see what the group really cares about and what’s creating all the buzz.

And now the number 1 reason….. (insert drum roll, I know, I know you can hardly wait…)

 NUMERO UNO (well actually two things that I’m giving two thumbs way up and a funny grin)

• First, if you’re active in your group and participating, not just viewing/scanning, you will get a little PR for yourself and your company. There is a section called “Top Influencers This Week” (see below). If you’re involved, starting discussions and commenting, the group will recognize it.

AND……….

• Second, you better get an even better profile picture. If you start a discussion or comment it seems they drastically increase the size of your picture! Here’s a tool you can use… and I swear this is my first attempt at it, but I think I’ll keep my untouched photo (but I was curious to see what I’d look like with blue eyes):

I love LinkedIn. It’s a great tool to reconnect with past colleagues, create new business opportunities, and strengthen relationships. I could go on and on about the positive aspects of it, but let’s face it, what fun would this post be if it was one big, fat LinkedIn love-fest?

Here it is: I hate LinkedIn Recommendations. Always have and I’m guessing, always will. They feel empty to me, here’s why:

1. You scratch my back I scratch yours?

When I see Billy Gates…you know the Microsoft guy, yeah, we’re tight… recommend me, I DON’T want to feel the need to recommend him back — whether he’s trying to save the world or not!

Anyway, from what I see others do out of obligation I feel the need to recommend Billy here to all. Is that helpful for others? Do you recommend others just because they recommended you? If not, do you feel like you’re snubbing them? Doesn’t it make all recommendations meaningless? I think so.

2. Get out the Pom Poms

I know they’re called “recommendations” and they are great if you’re looking for a new job or trying to impress your friends/mom/new girlfriend … but I’m thinking people are beginning to see right through it.

I’m all for supporting friends and colleagues, and would rather do that on Facebook, Twitter, this blog… I guess I thought LinkedIn was different. I have stopped (but never really started) recommending because I don’t want others to think it’s meaningless. Am I way off-base here? Are the recommendations still relevant?

In case you haven’t heard or noticed yet, LinkedIn is now offering a new feature, “Follow Company.”  This new feature allows users to get notifications about activity happening from the companies they follow.

This new feature is along the lines of the Facebook fan page, but instead of receiving status updates from the companies you follow, you will instead get information such as recent hires and promotions, new job opportunities and company profile updates.

There are two ways to follow companies — either you can go to the company’s profile page to follow it or you can follow a company from a person’s profile — just click on a company name and the option to follow that company will appear.

Follow Strategis! http://www.linkedin.com/companies/strategis

I know what you’re thinking, did he just fall off a bull and hit his head?  Well, yes I did, but trust me on this… follow me for a minute.

My point (yes, I have one) is that everyone has heard the saying:     “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

My question (which will shed some light on my tree-falling intro) is: With declining newspaper/magazine readership , if your news/PR gets published and no one’s there to read it, does it really exist? does it matter? does it make an impact?

I bring this up (ding ding-Tip of the Day) as another reason to have a Social Networking profile(s).   Any questions?

Yes, from the gentleman in the front row: Umm, what does that have to do with trees falling in the forest?

Me: Well, nothing really.. I was just trying to make an analogy by using a famous riddle and the sad state of print journalism, and well, paper is made from trees, so that’s something.  Really, I’m just trying to get readers’ attention, can’t a blogger catch a break here?

Gentleman in the front row: Okay fine, but what’s your point?

Me: Pretend as if people are NOT going to see your PR if it gets picked up.

Oh good, question from the back row,  MOM, how’d you get in my make-believe Q&A dream-blog???!: Can you elaborate sweetie?

Me: I was going to, jeeesh.  We all know that people spend lots of time online, emailing friends/coworkers and finding content that interests them.  How will people find the content that interests them if they don’t know it exists?   People follow you on twitter, or get Linked or are friends with you on Facebook for a reason: they’re interested in your content. What better way to share your accomplishments/PR etc?  Get the URL and post it as your status update or blast it out.  Trust me, you will be surprised how many people notice it, comment, re-tweet or “like” it.

A popular question: Won’t I come across as bragging or a narcissistic self-horn-tooter?

Me: Well, maybe… it’s all about the intro.  Call out a colleague that got a great write-up.  If you work in a restaurant that got a great review on yelp, say you’re proud to be a part of it.  If you worked your butt off, landed a huge deal, and got some good PR in a trade magazine, toot your own horn! If it becomes a weekly tooting, and you’re being defriended left and right, then reevaluate your posts and lets talk!

Here are 3 tips for managing your reputation:

• You are your network! – You may have control over the details of your online profiles and photos but a few simple clicks may show that the profiles of your friends and family are not as secure. If you want to manage privacy, reputation, and your security to any extent, you have to think about those around you.
• If you can’t delete, compete! – It’s always a good idea to ask people to remove embarrassing and inappropriate content about you, in most cases the best course of action is to make sure that YOU are the first and best source of information about yourself.
• There an industry around “Reputation Protection” – Soon enough there will be services available to offer “the digital equivalent of tattoo removal.” A host of services to promise the safeguard of your identity and reputation online (like the services credit card companies offer for identity protection).

There is no doubt that more and more content about our lives is being published and shared online. Understanding how to manage your online presence is critical to sustaining your reputation.

How are you maintaining your reputation?

When I get asked “Does Social Networking help you for business?” I sometimes just feel like saying….. yaah TOTALLY (insert valley girl voice)

But besides that question I frequently get asked the following:

1. What Social Networking tools does this media-savvy, innovative stud use?

Me: (the stud or valley girl): Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

2. And why?

Me: I, rarely, but could tell you what I had for breakfast, or how much I hate the rain/heat//insert severe weather gripe here, or how mad I am at Jesse James for what he did to Sandy, but there’s more to it.

All these virtual tools are around for another reason: it’s good for business and they work!

People forget that these virtual tools Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, FriendFeed or whatever works for you can be used to build relationships, not just maintain previously established ones.

The goal of this post is to get you thinking of how these virtual tools have benefited you in building relationships professionally and even personally (who knows you may have found an excellent plumber because of a friend of a friend recommendation)

Do you have any tips to share? Any negative experiences or downsides to them? Please share the good, the bad and the in-between!

In my next few blog posts I will share my experiences with these “virtual tools” and relationship-building. I would love your feedback and will incorporate it in my post. Leave a comment or email me at acupples@strategisadv.com and look for next Wednesday’s post.

Are you looking for the perfect candidate to fill an open position at your company? The same old recruitment not generating worthy candidates?

Try using LinkedIn! Reports show that LinkedIn has over 60 million professional profiles scanning over 200 countries. I’d say that qualifies it as a resourceful place to look.

OpenForum.com posted these five tips for using LinkedIn to find employees. I think you’ll find them very helpful in leveraging your LinkedIn profile and connections to find job applicants.

• Build Connections – Whether it’s in the real world or the online world, it is all about who you know. Connect and build relationships with people from prior jobs, clients, and local companies that you do business with.
• Join Groups – Looking to fill a specific position then join a group related to that field. Connections within that group may be able to recommend a candidate.
• Engage with questions and answer – Joining a group is not enough. You have to engage with other members. Notice people who share your interests and interact with them.
• Get (and read) LinkedIn updates – This is a quick and easy way to get recognized. This is a simple way to let people know what you are up to. “Looking for a Social Media Specialist. Know anyone who might be interested? All recommendations appreciated.”
• Embrace Mobile – Keeping up with all the information on LinkedIn can be time consuming. The mobile application lets you check updates while you are on the go and away from your computer.

Are you currently utilizing LinkedIn to find new employees? Or have you filled a position at your company through the use of our LinkedIn connections? Please share you experience and knowledge!

LinkedIn is working on a new browse panel that allows you to browse connections by their current companies, locations and industries. In addition, it allows you to search connections by entering their first name, last name or current company. This new feature will also enable you to browse new connections and connections who may have recently added a new connection by using the Recent Activity filter in the browse panel.

By providing useful tools like this one, LinkedIn makes it easier to find the people you what and need to connect with. So if you’re not LinkedIn, sign up and get connected!

This Friday, instead of delivering the latest popular social/ media news topic, I wanted to take a little time and reflect on why I love social media so much. So here it goes…

1. TRENDING TOPICS. I am able to make up ridiculous trending topics with the hopes of it will catch on. Being on the Top Twitter Trends is my goal, for example my latest project is #bustalyric. I started off as fun between @pmaloney and I while in the office, but now I really think it has the chops to catch on! All you do is put in your favorite lyric (characters permitting of course) and then #bustalyric. It actually gets quite addicting.

2. MIND SPEAK. What is great about social media and especially through ‘Talk Is Cheap’ I get to have a voice in many circumstances and topics to where I would not typically be able to. We all have opinions on stuff, so it is always great to have a platform to speak your mind whether it be a great recommendation or just a full out rant.

3. LOYAL SOCIALMEDIALITES. The power of social media and the effect it has on people. For example, and you know who you are, the Twitter watchers who can have a reply within seconds and a new post every five minutes. Most would believe that these people have no life and too much time on their hands, maybe for some that is the case–but for most they just enjoy being apart of the proverbial conversation. These are not just people who listen they are always contributing to it as well!

4. iGOOGLE. Not the most relevant social media contribution, but this is my post and I am going to mention it anyway. My iGoogle page does it all for me. I have my RSS Reader where I check out all the new happening among SoME blogs and bookmarking sites. Where do you think I find all my cool news stories from! Not just to keep me informed, it does so much more for me. It can tell me how to say ‘scoops’ in Turkish, what the 5 day forecast is going to be, but most importantly it is home to my virtual penguins and turtles. That’s cool.

5. iPHONE APPS. Social media is everywhere, especially when you have an iphone. My phone is just an extension of when I am not at work or in front of my Macbook at home. Thanks to the Facebook, LinkedIN and Tweetdeck applications I can stay connected on my terms—and that’s how I like it!

So there it was. It is not meant to be technical or provide any profound revelations about why social media is important. It is just some a few ways social media just does it for me.