A RecruitingBlogs.com Rant

The Social Network For The Recruiting Industry

Posted by Slouch on June 27, 2008 at 3:48pm in Recruiting Rants

There are a lot of things I really like about RecruitingBlogs.com There are a few things that bug me a little but the thing that I am going to be writing about below bothers me the most and it has to stop. I encourage members who feel that their time spent on RecruitingBlogs.com is being eaten up by what I am going to write below, please do let me know so I can see about it.

You have to stop messaging people with the same message to each person. It says that you don't care and that you're not smart and that you don't get the recruiting industry. It doesn't work that way out there and it doesn't work that way in here. I know it’s a social network and that is why most things go but time wasting with valueless introductions can’t be tolerated over and over again. It's a complete waste of time to leave someone you don't know a message on RecruitingBlogs.com about something of no value.

Please stop leaving comments to all of the pretty ladies telling them that you like their pictures. I like lots of those pictures too but you don't see me leaving comments talking about what they look like and you don't see anybody I do business with or those I respect and look up to doing business that way.

Here is another hint. If you're a guy and your friendslist is made of up 99% women - that becomes your profile. The reverse is also true.

I am trying really hard to make RecruitingBlogs.com into something that is going to be something. I don't make everyone happy all of the time and I sometimes don't get to things that I say I am going to get to but I don't use RecruitingBlogs.com as a low end piece of shit sourcing and promotional tool for my business.

Thanks for letting me vent. I hope you don’t find it a waste of your time.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rayanne on June 30, 2008 at 12:43pm: Jason~
Thanks for ranting AND venting. This is definitely an issue.
Everyone's comments to this post are right on.
It is easy to get distracted and forget why this network was established in the first place. Understanding that we are all personally responsible for what is posted on our own pages and whether or not we accept other networkers as connections is key in maintaining professionalism.

I don't believe there a difference in what is seen on your page if the viewer is your friend or not. It is simply a moniker that we, ourselves, are responsible for keeping in check. It is the same on LinkedIn; if you see a reason for a connection, great. If not..., stand up, be a professional and make that hard decision to eliminate the negative or mere complacency.

Remember the purpose.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rayanne on June 30, 2008 at 12:45pm: by the way... loving the ELO and Jeff Lynne. Awww..., those Xanadu days.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Gotkin on June 30, 2008 at 12:51pm: Jason - you certainly said what needed to be said here. RB.com has quickly become a great destination for sharing, collaborating, learning, and community building related to RECRUITING.

You know that this only going to become more and more of a challenge though. As this grows bigger, it will be harder to control and regulate. You may need to push this rant out on a periodic basis just to remind everyone what RB.com is really all about.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joshua Letourneau on June 30, 2008 at 12:51pm: I promise to remove my naked pic and will replace with a more professional one.

Just kidding. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dennis Smith on June 30, 2008 at 1:04pm: Jason - thanks for the reminders. If followed, they'll "bring us up," rather than "beat us, uh, bring us down."

Rock on.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Slouch on June 30, 2008 at 1:05pm: Ben, at the end of the day people will do what they will do and it can't be completely controlled. I have had to ban members in the past for misuse and I'll continue to do it when necessary. It rarely ever is necessary though. with almost 10,000 people and I really do think this is just the beginning, it means that the community will use it in many different ways. I just wanted to let everyone know how I view it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amie Ernst on July 1, 2008 at 3:48pm: Thank you Jason..

Sometimes we all need a reminder to play fair.. and clothed.. (lol) in the sand box.

TTFN...

Amie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen Mattonen CAC CSP on July 1, 2008 at 4:22pm: question for the week - was looking at some recent profiles, and i was wondering, how many Non Industry individuals are on this site? Have noticed a couple especially in the last few days...

something to think about..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim - medXcentral on July 1, 2008 at 4:39pm: If I were a savvy job seeker.... I just might look for a place where there are 10,000 recruiters gathered and make myself known. Call me crazy. (though I do understand that is not the intent of the group).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Slouch on July 1, 2008 at 4:40pm: Hi karen, there are people who join from time to time who are not in the business. I think it is a very small number. It does happen though.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim - medXcentral on July 1, 2008 at 4:55pm: Suggestion re: This Rant.

Come up with some community standards so that all who visit and/or join can come to a quick understanding. I think the vast majority of entrants would be very happy to be "brought up to speed" quickly so that they could develop the comfort level to actually participate within the full scope of the community.

Then... put a link on the right of the page where it does not become "out of sight - out of mind" and, then, maybe include it in every community notice which goes out (with link and reminder to stay in tune with the community standards as they may ebb and flow). Oh... and a repetitive reminder to keep your profile updated would not hurt.

My thought is that only a small percentage of the community really participates. I think many don't because they are simply unsure of what is expected. I think there may be a fear of rejection at play for some members.

In any community of thousands... you will have the "bad apples". Let's define "bad apple" and set a protocol for dealing with them.... then be sure the protocol is understood. I think that may help... and would also encourage the self policing mechanism.

I could write on... but, I'm short on time. I hope this helps... if only incrementally.

Thanks for listening.
- Jim; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen Mattonen CAC CSP on July 1, 2008 at 5:15pm: Jim
re "set a protocol for dealing with them.." well, here is the MOST important part that get's missed on these networks.. -make sure the protocol or "standards" are Consistent to ALL members, and avoid with all muster favortism.. Especially if it is just to "make the numbers", cause if one is doing it "just to make the numbers" and continue to maintain a status quo.. you will find that the "numbers" will continue to fade..

And I talk from Personal Experience..
Karen; ▶ Reply to This