Headhunting happens online
Staying up to date on social media is the best way to ensure your dream job finds you, writes Sarcha Every.
OPINION: Employment opportunities in New Zealand are rising, driven by a robust economy and prospects of continued economic strength.
Nationwide, 93 per cent of employers are either increasing or maintaining their headcount.
But more than one in three say it’s harder to find top talent now than it was a year ago, according to the 2017 Hudson Talent Insights Report.
Christchurch is leading hiring demand (40.8 per cent), ahead of Wellington (40 per cent) and Auckland (36.7 per cent).
What’s more, with only 25 per cent of candidates actively looking for jobs at any given time, a supply and demand issue is starting to emerge, particularly for senior management, executive and governance-level roles.
According to LinkedIn, the remaining three-quarters are made up of candidates on the cusp, or ‘‘tiptoers’’, who are open to job suggestions (15 per cent), as well as passive candidates (60 per cent), who are already gainfully employed and happy, but might contemplate a move if the right job presented itself.
Taking a proactive approach to social media is the best way for candidates to ensure that dream job arrives on their doorstep, or more accurately their inbox.
While CVs and interviews are undeniably important, they’re of limited use if quality candidates can’t be found.
LinkedIn is the first port of call for industry insiders looking to source and evaluate candidates in New Zealand. It’s the perfect headhunting tool: It allows recruiters and potential employers to shoulder tap leading professionals across any industry.
Not surprisingly, candidates who get headhunted the most in New Zealand are Generation X men and women who work for large organisations and have a strong online footprint, making it easier for professional recruiters to find and connect with them.
However, many New Zealand professionals haven’t cottoned onto this fact. A 2015 survey canvassing more than 760 professionals and hiring managers nationwide found that while 79 per cent of professionals had an upto-date CV, only 59 per cent have an upto-date LinkedIn profile.
New Zealand is a small market so unless candidates keep a finger on the pulse, they could lose out on significant career opportunities that may not resurface for five or 10 years.
In addition, many of the top senior management and chief executive roles aren’t advertised to an open market.
Candidates with no profile or a limited profile with a low number of connections typically raise a big red flag with recruiters – particularly for jobs with a customer or internal liaison component.
Recruiters will evaluate the quality of a candidate’s profile and professional network because it shows how well they cultivate relationships.
LinkedIn’s People You May Know feature and LinkedIn Groups are great tools for expanding your professional network and building a sound online footprint.
Also consider publishing long-form articles via LinkedIn’s Publishing
Many of the top senior roles aren't advertised to an open market.
Platform – it’s an effective mechanism for demonstrating thought leadership in a particular industry.
Other ways professionals can add colour to their personal LinkedIn brand is by fleshing out the summary section to reflect professional interests and aspirations, as well as requesting recommendations from industry leaders and former or current employers.
Spelling out relevant achievements and promotions also paints a clear picture to recruiters that a candidate is not only a high achiever but can also manage change while driving growth and productivity.
Social media has turned the job market into a two-way street, too. Those looking for a career move can seek out potential employers online, consider the company’s values and culture, and weigh up available opportunities against their future plans.
Forward-thinking organisations want candidates who will be the movers, shakers and thinkers of the future – and that means people who embrace new ideas.
Using social media to highlight your skills, achievements and values is the most effective way to ensure that dream job finds you.
All you have to do is make yourself visible to the people who are searching for the country’s best talent online.