Have you ever wondered why a seemingly perfect employee just didn’t work out in your corporate culture? There are so many dos and don’ts when it comes to hiring, but many of these rules fail to mention obvious things that could cost you a poor hire. One of those things is the advent of technology—specifically when it comes to Generation Y—and the effects of social networking sites on your company.
Here’s a true story. After I hired a person who sailed through all of our interviews, I discovered that she was chronically late to work. On top of that, she had indiscriminate party pictures on her Facebook profile— photos she would routinely view on the company’s dime. Every day she would look at her pictures, check her profile and instant message (IM) friends. She was neglecting her responsibilities, and it wound up hurting my business.
In today’s business world, with technology racing at the speed of light, keeping up with online trends is becoming more and more relevant. I realized that in order to hire employees of value, I needed to use the Internet to my advantage. With so many members of Generation Y surfing the Web, it’s becoming necessary for entrepreneurs to leverage the Internet as an extra source of reference.
Nowadays, before I hire someone, I Google their names and check message boards and Web sites for anything that would alert a red flag. The popularity of social-networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Friendster can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about your prospective hire. I also take a look at their e-mail addresses and IM names to see if anything seems out of the ordinary. It may sound like small stuff, but every detail matters.
As an entrepreneur, I’m continually faced with roadblocks when it comes to hiring the right employee. While there are no shortcuts to a perfect hire, leveraging technology will help me get a better understanding of social-networking sites and newer generations. After all, when it comes to your company, you can never be too informed.
Related to Social Networking and Your Staff:
- Company culture as a recruiting technique
- Four generations in the workplace
- Hiring Employees – Seven Winning Strategies
Tags: recruiting, recruiting advice, recruitment
