MySpace and Recruiting

Are social networking sites good for recruiters?

There are two reasons to answer no.

1. They won't last.
2. They are not structured for business relationships.

Chris Taylor, the Heroic Techie tells us that it's the revenue model -- not the size of the audience that determines success.

Woodstock had a large audience of people who didn't want to spend any money. And the same is true of MySpace.

It's got a lot of customers who won't support its advertisers and will leave as soon as the novelty wears off or something new comes along.

The Techie even has the temerity to take on LinkedIn. It has an audience that is willing to spend money but as it grows it will be subject to the bozo invasion. And, once there is a lot of dead wood on its shelves it won't be that useful or popular.

The Techie cites party-lines, bulletin boards and IRC among the once hot now not methods of social interaction and believes that MySpace will follow in their wake.

And, CNET plays much the same tune though it gives more of a hearing to MySpace' claim that it has all the features of a major portal now and will add even more to hold its audience as it matures.

Shannon Seery, however, takes a different approach.

According to her, MySpace is no good to recruiters and candidates because of the questions it asks when it creates your profile.

It wants to know your marital status, sexual orientation, religion and smoking and drinking habits.

This makes it clear that MySpace is not primarily about business but leisure.

Hat Tip: Phil Chen

Comments

[Dave Mendoza]

I have made similar observations concerning the membership entry information detailed on MySpace; i.e., marital status, sexual orientation, religion and smoking and drinking habits

On each of the points mentioned, the site screams privacy/discrimination liability.

I had to make a considerable argument to quell a desire to integrate myspace into a corporate sourcing strategy because of these particular issues ... and the fact that I couldn't find any relevance to the senior level engineering talent Freescale is targeting.

Perhaps web developer/IT professional overall may be a relevant pool that find a natural home at MySpace, but given the regulatory oversight effecting the industry, it would behoove no one to cite the platform as the origin for generating a hire.

MySpace is evolving to be sure, but at this moment, unless you are seeking techno nights and inquiring what your favorite band or Lord of The Rings movie ...... we would fare far better at a more mature venue that professionals inhabit.

One positive? Well, I posted an account and I received unsolicited compliments from the ladies :) So unless you are looking for an ego boost or being among an eclectic crowd .... I suggest you look at other watering holes.

Linked in .... another time another place ... so much to say. :)

[Chris Taylor]

Thanks for the link CH -- there's a pretty good discussion going on in Recruiting.com's link to your post, so I've answered some criticisms there...