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If you’re not already using LinkedIn as a key part of your recruiting methods, it’s time to start. An article published Monday on Recruiter.com suggests that the resume is out and LinkedIn has taken its place. We’re not altogether convinced, but the argument is compelling. For starters, LinkedIn is more dynamic than even the most creatively constructed document could be.
Recruiter.com’s Maren Hogan offers six reasons that, when it comes to sourcing candidates, LinkedIn is a force to be reckoned with.
- Unless job seekers set their profiles to private (and they won’t get much quality traffic that way), practically any user is able to put eyes on their information. So candidates are less likely to fudge information on their profiles, knowing their secrets could be very easily unearthed by a past boss or colleague.
- Candidates’ information comes in a more visually interesting package than your standard, run-of-the-mill resume. And, hey, you can put a face with a name ahead of the interview.
- Employ the “Apply with LinkedIn” function and speed up the application process. The site’s applicant tracking system pulls pertinent info and sends it to the recruiter. Easy peasy.
- LinkedIn offers all the benefits of a resume, a portfolio and letters of recommendation. In well developed profiles, you can read through work history, delve into achievements, view key projects and see what co-workers have to say about the candidates’ strengths.
- The site affords employers access to passive candidates. Of course, as we all know, some of the best talent aren’t actively looking for a job change.
- A feature allowing users to view shared contacts opens up the possibility of scoping out the candidate through mutual connections.
Without a doubt, LinkedIn is a valuable tool for job seekers and recruiters alike – it’s accessible anywhere, provides insight a resume can’t and can help to streamline the recruitment process – but are the days of the resume over? I don’t know. I think there’s life in the old girl yet.
Published by Conselium Executive Search, the global leader in compliance search.
