New Survey Shows Recruiting Practices Impact on Revenues

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Businesses that fail to align their recruiting practices with their branding strategy risk losing top talent and potential revenue - with social media further amplifying these consequences, according to a new study by Alexander Mann Solutions, a provider of world-class talent and resourcing capability.

“There’s a crucial ‘sliding door’ moment for interviewing candidates. Not only are they potential customers, but during the interviewing process, they also have the potential to become part of the brand”

The global report - which surveyed consumers in the United States, the United Kingdom and China – found that more than half (52 percent) of respondents said a negative interview experience would impact on their purchasing decisions. Fifty-percent of American respondents said a bad interview experience would push them to reconsider buying from the interviewing company, compared to 58 percent in the United Kingdom and 47 percent in China. Of course, netting a few disgruntled customers is an inevitable part of doing business. However, social media now enables a handful of displeased job candidates to quickly spread their dissatisfaction and potentially influence thousands – or even millions – of people. In fact, 75 percent of American respondents said they would be likely to share a negative interview experience with their personal and professional networks. [Read more]

How Social Media Helps 50+ Workers Find Jobs

Many older Americans need to keep working well into their 50s and 60s to supplement income and boost long-term retirement resources. But job hunting can be a huge challenge -- and not only because the economy is weak.

For many older workers, technology is a barrier to finding employment. Many employers are skeptical about the technology savvy of 50-plus workers, and the starting point for most job searches these days is the Internet -- specifically, social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

In a tough job market, it's hard to overstate the importance of networking, differentiating yourself and highlighting the value you can bring to an employer. Social media platforms offer some important means to those ends, through sharing expertise and making new connections. But older job hunters can be at a competitive disadvantage.

"The first time I looked at Twitter, I thought, 'what is this thing?'" says Lee Silverstein, who's transitioning to a new career at 50, following 29 years in management jobs with major department stores, most recently Macy's, where he focused on training and leadership development. [Read more]