Tap Todays Best College Graduates via Online Networking

Tap Todays Best College Graduates via Online NetworkingTap Todays Best College Graduates via Online NetworkingTap Todays Best College Graduates via Online NetworkingMay 4, 2012 Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource CenterThe social media tidal wavehas changed the way we think, interact, work and play. And nowhere has its impact been greater than with the emerging workforce.This group that includes college graduates and who are often referred to as Gen Y have embraced social media in every aspect of their life including their work environment and career development.As social media recruitment evolves, one thing is clear employers will need a clear social media strategy as well as a carefully-consideredsocial media policyto engage Gen Y workers.To find out mora, we spoke with Tom Chevalier, Product Marketing Director for BeKnownTM, Monsters professional networking app for Facebook.MonsterWhat picture emerged of todays college graduates from Monsters recentEmerging Workforce Summit? Why has the college grad demographic become so critical to our future workforce?Chevalier At Monsters social summit on Educating and Engaging the Emerging Workforce, keynote speaker and Gen Y expert Dan Schawbel pointed out that todays emerging workforce (18-29 years old) are extremely tech savvy, collaborative, flexible and passionate, adding that they will play a key role in driving employeeinnovation. Gen Ys are critical to the future workforce as they will make up 75% of the global workers by 2025.In addition, GenY is becoming more entrepreneurial for multiple reasons barriers have lowered to starting a company, while it is more difficult for them to find internships and professional jobs with little professional experience.Ryan Paugh, a Gen Y thought leader and community-building expert, believes that entrepreneurship is the solution America needs to help the current job market.He is a strong advocate of youth entrepreneurship as both a solution to unemployment and underemployment and urges the government to do more to support entrepreneurs.MonsterWhat are the expectations of todays college graduates regarding their future employment?Chevalier A theme expressed by those in attendance was that todays collegegraduates expect to have an impact within their organizations starting on day one.Gen Ys are often extremely driven and hungry for success, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit to create the next big thing.Gen Y talent is more focused on meaningful work and will leave an organization if they do not feel fulfilled by their contribution or dont believe in the work they are doing.With that, they have different values than today Gen X and Baby Boomers. They are changing the everyday values of work-life balance as a meaningful job they seefreedom and access to social media as more important than salary increases.MonsterHow can employers do a better job of meeting those expectations?Chevalier Employers should effectively onboard new hiresto leverage the emergin g workforces passion and energy while concentrating on retaining their talent. According to Schawbel, Microsoft estimates the cost to replace each Gen Y employee is $24,000.MonsterHow important is social media in reaching this demographic when it comes time to recruit?Chevalier It is extremely important for employers to engage the emerging workforce demographic where they live and breathe - online, using social media.Currently, there is a social network mismatch. Keynote speaker Dan Schwabel cited Jobvites 2011 Recruitment Survey, which reported that the majority of job seekers (almost 80%) are on Facebook, while less than 60% of recruiters are on Facebook.It is important for employers close this gap and be where the job seekers are. Employers need to enable recruiters to connect directly on social media, like Facebook, with a separate profile dedicated to careers.MonsterHow are todays college grads incorporating social media into their professional lives?Chevalier Social media is a major part of college students personal lives and they are experts in using social media. They are not as comfortable using social media in their professional lives and are currently learning how to better integrate social into their job search.MonsterAre todays universities helping guide young grads in their social media usage and participation?Chevalier Colleges and universities recognize the importance of social media and the need to educate the emerging workforce.Kristin Mattera, adjunct professor at Suffolk University, teaches a social media class to juniors and seniors.At Monsters Social Summit, Kristin presented how to transform social media training to real work outcomes, which is a main focus of her class.College/university career centers are also using social media to reach their students and alumni while educating students on their use of social media in a job search.Marilyn Santiesteban, assistant director of graduate and alumni career services at Bentley University, d iscussed career services in the social age during the event.Bentley organizes various workshops to try and get the word out to students that employers are using social media too - not only to recruit students for employment via professional networks, but also to screen candidates, based on their online social profiles.Of course, educating every student about the proper social media usage is a concern of college/university administrators.It remained a theme among the career services professionals at Monsters Social Summit.Monster Has social media changed the way companies now shape their companybranding strategy?What are the key elements that a company should have in place for their social media strategy?Chevalier Using social media is a must for company recruitment/branding strategies. Todd Van Hoosear, Principal at the PR agency Fresh Ground, explained that successful social recruiting programs involve community, content, conversation and conversion.Todd added that these 4 Cs are the cornerstones for companies building a branding and recruiting strategy using social media.More and more employers are utilizing social platforms to extend their employer brand and distribution network of job postings, while providing the opportunity for candidates to directly engage and get an inside look at the company culture.Facebook has turned into a viable place for professional networking. The time spent and active engagement on Facebook dominates time spent on other social sites. The younger demographic and specific industry sectors like nurses and others are not on LinkedIn, but they are on Facebook.However, keep in mind that with the increased popularity of recruiting through social media that social should be considered an AND, not an OR solution, and should be integrated as a part of a companys overall recruitingstrategy. Social media should never replace the traditional methods.Monster What advice do you have for employers who are looking to engage this demographic v ia social media?Chevalier It is important to give your recruiting team a voice on social media thats separate from the corporate brand within social media sites.Career-focused social profiles at your organization enable students and alumni to ask questions about the employment process, understand your corporate culture and learn about your recruitment process. Have a communication strategy in place that focuses on being transparent and genuine.Finally, as weve successfully seen with BeKnownTM, Monsters professional networking app for Facebook, its essential to encourage the participation of employees and recent alumni in your social media strategy, as they are the best company ambassadors and will show potential candidates a genuine insight into your organization.