Dive Brief:
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Recruiters are increasingly using social media and messaging apps to target talent in a tight job market, according to the new 2016 Global Recruiting Survey.
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The survey from Alexander Mann Solutions and Social Talent found 37% of recruiters reported that social and professional media outlets were now their primary source for finding professionals.
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The social media figures were higher than traditional recruitment efforts, such as paid job boards, applications or referrals.
Dive Insight:
The survey included almost 1,000 recruiting professionals worldwide.
"Not only do the results of our 2016 Global Recruiting Survey demonstrate that social media usage across the board is on the rise, but 37% of respondents believed that social wasn't just an option, it was their primary source for finding top talent," said Ian Cluroe, director of Global Brand and Marketing at Alexander Mann, in an interview with CIO.com.
"We're fast approaching a day when those that don't embrace social recruiting will be left behind, and there won't be any distinction between being an effective recruiter and being social media savvy," Cluroe said.
The labor market for talented tech personnel, in particular, is growing increasingly competitive, especially in places with a large concentration of technology companies. In January, Robert Half Technology released its 2016 Salary Guide for Technology Professionals and found there is still more demand than supply for IT professionals, creating a competitive recruiting environment.
LinkedIn was the most popular social media avenue recruiters used to find talent. But messaging apps are also growing in popularity among recruiters. Skype, WhatsApp and iMessage cumulatively saw a 40% bump in use over the year before.
Cluroe said the study shows that employers need to take social media recruitment seriously or risk losing out on the more social media-savvy professionals.
