How to become an IT Contractor - Becoming an IT Contractor

Parasol PAYE umbrella company
Over 32,000 satisfied contractors.
Get paid quicker. Call 0800 5836000.

Recruiters embracing social networks to source candidates

Posted Feb 25, 2010

Recruiters have acknowledged the growing influence of social networking sites on the recruitment process, and how this trend could lead to a reduction in agency income in the future.

Social networking won't replace traditional methods

At a recent ARC (Association of Recruitment Consultancies) event, Stephanie Lee from Intel explained how he company had become an avid user of social networks to help source new candidates. She anticipated significant savings in recruitment fees as a result of social networking, but some aspects of the recruitment process - mainly face-to-face interviews - would still require the traditional treatment.

Interestingly, Lee suggested that such new processes could result in the reduced use of job boards in favour of things like Twitter's job search and Linkedin's automatic candidate matching functionality. Permission to join 'hiring' groups on social networks was also at the discretion of the client company, which means that recruiters could easily be shut out.

Mark Bainbridge - head of recruitment at RBS, who also addressed the meeting, said that the bank will shortly launch a social media hub to help its recruitment efforts. Microsoft and the Army are thought to use social media for 90% of their recruitment.

Bainbridge estimates that between 30-40% of all hiring at the bank could soon derive from social media, although this was likely to be for lower-level recruitment.

Legal and practical issues should be recognised

Adrian Marlowe, ARC Chairman, urged a note of caution. Marlowe said that recruiters, whether end users or agencies, who intended to use social networking sites as part of the recruitment process, should balance the apparent advantages that social networking offered against a recognition of the legal and practical issues.

"While there is a rush to use social media, only time will tell if the advantages of instant communication and information that it offers really bring something to the table. Employer branding is different from recruitment, and agencies have developed sophisticated methods of assessing candidates which might not be apparent in hirings made purely on the basis of social networking. The new technology should be embraced but only with the knowledge of the potential dangers and costs involved."

Bookmark and Share

Please scroll down for related articles

Contractor Services


Related Articles

HMRC PAYE blunder highlights complexity of tax system
With millions of people due to receive PAYE tax rebates or demands for underpaid tax shortly, the ACCA provides some tips on how to deal with an HMRC demand for payment.

PCG seeks contractors' views on the state of the market
Following an optimistic start to 2010 for the contracting industry, the PCG has launched a new poll to see how contractors view their prospects for the coming months.

Contractors warned to be vigilant over HMRC tax probes
The PCG has warned contractors to continue being vigilant over IR35 as HMRC appears to be adopting a more devious approach to tax enquiries.

PAYE overhaul on the cards as Coalition launches another consultation
The latest Government consultation could result in a radical overhaul of the PAYE system, in an aim to reduce costs for both HMRC and employers.

PCG announces inaugural freelance lecture
The PCG is to hold its first freelance lecture in London this November, supported by the Telegraph Media Group.

Security cleared roles should be open to all contractors
The Government has released further security clearance guidance which aims to reiterate that contractors should not have to hold existing clearance in order to apply for sensitive roles.

Jobs report shows private sector recovery, but concerns over public sector cuts
The latest REC Report on Jobs shows that both permanent and contract job appointments increased in July, however the rates of growth have slowed a little.

New legislation archive gives access all UK laws since 1267
A new website has been launched which brings together every law created since 1267 - providing access to a staggering 6.5 million documents.

Recruiters support Government plans to review IR35
A leading recruitment body has announced its plans to work with the OTS to develop alternative legislative approaches to IR35.

Job ste reports increased number of contract roles advertised
A recent IT skills reports shows that the sector continues to climb out of recession, with contract roles continuing to increase.

Recruiter outlines Top 10 ITcontract roles of 2010
A recruitment consultancy has outlined the UK's most in-demand IT jobs so far this year - dominated by developer positions.

New body launched to simplify tax system - including IR35
Business groups have responded positively to the launch of the Office of Tax Simplification. One of its tasks will be to review IR35.

Limited company formation numbers on the up
The number of limited company formations has started to rise once again following two years of falls, according to Companies House data.

Government asks us which laws should be scrapped. IR35 anyone?
The coalition has launched a new site to enable people to suggest which laws and regulations should be scrapped. Unsurprisingly, IR35 has already been nominated numerous times.

Union angered as HP keeps contractors on board, but axes employees
Hewlett-Packard is to lay off a further 934 workers, with further cuts possible. The company still retains 2000 contractors, which the Unite union says "adds insult to injury".

Qdosconsulting