5 Reasons Why Social Proof Matters to Recruiters

5 Reasons Why Social Proof Matters to Recruiters 5 Reasons Why Social Proof Matters to Recruiters As the unemployment rate shrinks, the competition for jobs is growing. At the same time, employers have  changed the way the vet candidates. CareerBuilders annual social media recruitment survey  found that 60 percent of employers check candidates social media accounts â€" a 500 percent increase over the last decade. Employers want more than resume clichés from candidates, which is why your social media activity â€" and the things people say about you on social media â€" speak so loudly to employers. We call this social proof: proof of the value you create as an employee shared by others on social media. Many people fail to invest in collecting social proof, but thats a big mistake. Here are five ways in which a lack of social proof can harm your career: 1. A Lack of Social Proof Suggests You Havent Done Anything Impressive Does the cliché Theres nothing here to write home about apply to you? When employers are checking your social media profiles, having nothing to show is equally as bad as a profile full of inappropriate party pictures.Who are you? Are you more than competent at your current position? How do you contribute? These are the questions employers want your social media presence to answer. Social proof sells your knowledge, skills, and abilities. If you want to be discovered, you need to point employers toward your rich profiles and portfolios online. 2. A Lack of Social Proof Exposes an Incomplete Career Story Most people have incomplete social profiles and resumes full of generalities.  Unless referred by someone for a job, they will unlikely receive any calls back from employers. If you dont have  substance to display, your chances of being ignored are high. A complete story that  includes social proof can show the accomplishments and impact of your career. Someone interested in your career exploits will want to stay informed about what youre up to â€" and thats a good thing! That means you are memorable and have created a meaningful  story for your career. 3. A Lack of Social Proof Reveals a Lack of Hustle What you dont say speaks volumes. When theres no social proof, people will start to create narratives for you â€"  narratives that arent necessarily true. You dont want a lack of proof to speak for you when you can  leverage proof for your success. Social proof shows youre taking extra steps to ensure your marketability. It shows that your options are open and you desire to put your best foot forward. It also says you want to strengthen your career narrative. It confirms the authenticity of your goals and aspirations. Its a powerful way to keep employers and recruiters coming back for more. 4. A Lack of Social Proof Says Everything Anyone Needs to Know About You If your voice  is the only voice talking about  what youve done, people will just write it  off as bragging. When others are sharing testimony about you, it substantiates your abilities. People envision you doing the same things for them. When we hear people telling stories about how others have helped them, we are assured and comforted more than we are by lists of certifications and degrees. Recruiters and employers will start to trust you even before meeting you, and soon, youll be a serious contender in their eyes. If youre the only witness to the great things you do, then you only serve yourself. 5. A Lack of Social Proof Drains Authenticity From Your Brand Without social proof, you lack authenticity. Employers are  unlikely to contact you if you lack realness. Quotes, stories, and endorsements from others strengthen your authority and prove your brand is accurate. Social proof provokes engagement of some type. Sometimes that  just means a click of the like button, but over time, this engagement will add layers of interest. Enough of it will compel others to start taking notice and  spreading the word. Remember, though, that you want to draw attention without being outrageous. People draw closer to you when you have a strong voice. Common ways to establish a voice  include writing  blog posts or producing videos related to what you do and how you do it. If you show your personality through these things, you will be more memorable. When your accomplishments are clear, others will want to know more about them. In the end, youll become  indispensable. Mark Anthony Dyson is a career consultant, the host and producer of The Voice of Job Seekers podcast, and the founder of the blog by the same name.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. We're SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.