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Web 2.0 refers to a perceived second
generation of web-based communities
and hosted services – such as
social-networking sites, wikis, blogs,
RSS and online videos etc, which facilitate
collaboration and sharing between
users. The key aspect of Web 2.0 is
that instead of being a channel of
communication the web is now moving
towards a more collaborative community
where anybody can develop content
and share views with the world.
Recruitment domain can also take
advantage of Web 2.0 in many ways:
User-generated content
for greater participation
Jobsites can implement this technique
by letting visitors rank the job
posts; write reviews about employers
and different jobs; interact with
other visitors; share opinions;
write about other job opportunities;
and more. Employers and recruiters
can also participate by answering
questions; rating candidates; conducting
online tests for candidates; leaving
comments on features; and so on.
Online communities
The web is having a great impact
on the way people are socializing.
There has been a tremendous increase
in social networking sites where
word spreads like fire. Sites like
Orkut.com, MySpace.com, FaceBook.com,
and the likes enable people across
the world to create profiles; form
groups and communities of like-minded
individuals; interact with each
other; share views; send personal
messages; upload videos and images;
the list is endless. Imagine the
opportunities recruiters have in
such a space. There are many technical
and profession-related forums and
communities too where people interact
with each other. Jobs could be posted
in a subtle way, or corporate brand
building could be done.
Content syndication
Perhaps one of the major enablers
of Web 2.0 is Real Simple Syndication
(RSS). Through RSS people can subscribe
to information feeds and then display
those feeds on their site. One website
can have content coming from multiple
sources. A recruitment website can
take advantage of RSS by sending
out feeds on job alerts, and other
recruitment related information.
They can also display feeds from
relevant news and content sources
and blogs.
Blogs
Another major force behind Web 2.0
is the phenomena of blogging. Blogs
have enabled everybody across the
world to publish personal content
free of cost. There are many websites
like Wordpress.com, Blogger.com,
etc., that let users design their
own blog and upload content whenever
they want. This has given information
sharing a whole new dimension. Candidates
are giving links of their blogs
on their resumes to showcase their
knowledge and their activity in
the online world.
Video resumes
Multimedia capabilities in all computer
systems and easy access to digital
cameras have made it possible for
candidates to prepare innovative
video resumes. They can record their
own video and talk about their skills
and strengths as if in an interview.
Such resumes are especially used
by creative people who want to apply
for jobs in media or designing.
These videos can be distributed
all over the web through social
networking sites or video sites
like YouTube.com.
In such a scenario, high-end applicant
tracking systems can enable recruiters
to give a new meaning to recruitment
process. The need of the hour is
to become internet savvy. Recruiters
have to understand the new online
hangouts and be there to observe
people and find prospective candidates.
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Web
2.0 and its Impact on Recruitment