60 Seconds on Business
Great applicants lurk in cyberspace

Bob Barner, a vice president with Choice Hotels International, has started to use five recent applications to make an impact in his need for executive search and selection: more Web-based applications, just-in-time hiring, developing competitive intelligence, compatibility assessments and team acquisitions. In this and the next few columns, I’ll tell you how each one can assist in your search for the best and brightest.

First, there are dozens of personnel and career-development Web sites. Their presence has changed the head-hunting industry. Both employers and would-be employees can meet in cyberspace much easier than ever before. Employers have access as well to a wider range of applicants. For example, Monster.com had more than 450,000 jobs posted recently, and CruelWorld.com also had hundreds of thousands. When you add the online applications of the major "traditional" placement and search companies, millions of jobs and applicants are literally within reach of each other.

But there are more interesting Web-based approaches to attract talent. Take Cisco Systems’ "Friends" program. If you contact Cisco’s Web site, you either can apply for openings or click a "make friends" icon that connects you to a Cisco employee. They share information and stories about the company with you, and if you’re hired, the "friend" gets a bonus. Of course, they do some training and staff development to prepare the "friends" to field the e-mail inquiries, and have some standards for timeliness and responsiveness.

Another creative application is "talent spying." Visit chat rooms that focus on the business and technical specialties that you’re after, and listen for some sounds of discontent, or of job dissatisfaction. You can find some exceptional people who are frustrated beyond belief by their current situations, but might be perfect for you.

Dr. Drake Beil can be reached at drake@60secondsonbusiness.com.

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