On June 10, we had our Quarterly Networking event for SDRR, which featured a panel discussion, HR Meets Social Media: A panel of local experts discuss finding jobs, candidates, and branding your business via social networking. As always, our event was a casual good time where colleagues could catch up over a much deserved drink after work, and hopefully gain some new information during the process.

Pictures are now featured on the SDRR website in our SDRR Gallery. Log into www.sdrecruiters.com and click on the tab for SDRR Gallery to view these. In addition, we have video of the event up on our YouTube account. While we realize this initial recording has room for improvement in terms of audio clarity (and can you say tripod anyone??!), we hope you are able to learn some information and see what you missed at our fun event! Our YouTube account can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/sdrecruiters

Subscribe to us on YouTube and stay up to date with our postings!

Social Media: The most powerful new employment reference

By Julie Magnuson, HR Consultant and SDRR Chairperson

We all need to check references, but what do we really get when we do a reference check? Many times, it feels like we are going through the motions…you know the drill: The candidate gives us a list of names and numbers, cherry-picked of course, and we call them up to ask them questions. Isn’t it amazing how complementary these references are? Of course the candidate is not going to give us names of the people with whom they had conflict, who counseled them on significant performance issues, and who saw them make bad decisions. They always give us their biggest fans whenever possible

So how do we get the real scoop on candidates? We can always try to ask references questions from different angles and try to read between the lines of their responses. Often, the reference is more about what they DON’T say vs what the DO say. Employers are still afraid, for the most part, of giving a bad reference. So, rather than give a bad reference, they give a vanilla or generic response to most questions and don’t go very deep. Many of us know to look for these signs and can tell the “unspoken bad reference” from a mile away. And, with the power in the hands of the candidate to generate the reference name and contact info, the references are typically glowing and often discussed with the candidate prior to our phone call. So, while the ceremonial checking of the references is still necessary and important in the decision making process, there is another component that should be in place at every employer.

In addition to the reference calls, it is a critical step to use the Internet and Social Media to confirm employment and experience history and see what the candidates are saying on their public profiles. How many of us are Googling every candidate that gets to the finalist stage? Probably most, but if you are not, you must begin doing this immediately. In addition to anything that might come up under a Google search, you should also be seeing if these candidates are on top Social Media sites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. While you don’t want to use any protected information that they may have public as a basis for employment decisions, certainly it is important to know such things as if the candidate is bad-mouthing their previous employer on Twitter or Facebook. Or, maybe their LinkedIn profile shows they left their last job 10 months ago, but they told you 2 months ago. Does the education and experience on these sites match what they provided you? Do they present themselves in Social Media in a professional manner as appropriate for the position you are considering placing them into? Also, have they been quoted anywhere as an expert, or written/contributed to any blogs? This might also provide insight into their level of expertise, writing and communication skills, and ability to network.

Gone are the days when our biggest social media concerns as HR people are how to block MySpace and/or Facebook so it doesn’t use our bandwidth or take employee attention away from their job duties. It is time as employers to embrace these blurred lines between work and home, and use all information made public by employees to evaluate their suitability in terms of the skills and experience necessary for these roles as part of the reference check. Employees/Candidates need to be careful what they post and have a responsibility to ensure they keep their public presence the way they want current and prospective employers to see them. Social Media is not going away, and by all accounts is the new, most powerful reference check for employers.

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Julie Magnuson, Chairperson, San Diego Recruiters Roundtable

Julie Magnuson founded and chairs the San Diego Recruiters Roundtable (SDRR), an online resource that connects and serves more than 400 members of the region’s human resources community.

Magnuson has over 14 years of experience in human resources. She launched the Recruiters Roundtable in 1998 and her successful HR consulting practice, Magnuson Consulting, in 2001.

As a consultant, she has served more than 65 leading San Diego employers in a wide variety of industries, but with a focus in high tech and biotech. Previously, Magnuson was Director of Human Resources for a 2,500 person employer in Poway, Calif.

The San Diego Recruiters Roundtable started as a vehicle for a small group of HR professionals to share information on HR and recruiting related topics. Today, SDRR has grown to be one of San Diego’s largest and best known HR professional networking communities. For more, see http://www.sdrecruiters.com.

HR leaders join San Diego Recruiters Roundtable 2009 board

Group focuses on social media and networking to build awareness, add value

SAN DIEGO, Calif.; June 1, 2009 – San Diego Recruiters Roundtable (SDRR), an online resource that connects and serves more than 400 members of the region’s human resources community, announces its 2009 Board of Directors, Advisory Board and strategic plan.

The Board of Directors is comprised of human resources leaders representing a variety of businesses throughout the San Diego area. Founder Julie Magnuson of Magnuson Consulting leads the board as Chairperson, drawing upon her 14 years of HR experience. Directors include Lynette Bowman, Vice President of Human Resources at Pacira Pharmaceuticals; Brandon Moreno, Founder of Leading Edge Thought Corp.; Mona Melanson, HR Consultant with Aviso HR Associates; Carole Trilling, HR Consultant with The Alliance Group; and Erick Magnuson, Senior Programmer Analyst at the University of California, San Diego.

The Recruiters Roundtable Advisory Board consists of specialized experts who support the group and its members in a variety of ways. Current Advisory Board members are Joseph Parker, Attorney with Troutman Sanders; Alice Campbell, Principal with Barney & Barney; and Mary Alcock, President of Alcock & McFadden Employment Consultants.

“The San Diego Recruiters Roundtable relies heavily on its board members to be empowered leaders, providing insight into the HR industry and focusing on new and different ways to bring value to our members,” said Magnuson. “I’m thrilled with the representation on our boards this year and I’m looking forward to working with our members to get and stay connected in the HR community.”

The SDRR strategic plan for 2009 focuses on advancing the organization through membership, programs and partnerships in order to bring added value to members based on growing trends and changes within the industry. The group incorporates key social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to keep its members connected and also posts job openings from members on the Recruiters Roundtable web site as an added benefit. Key elements of the strategic plan include:

• Utilizing the Recruiters Roundtable membership base to drive change in San Diego’s HR community and create awareness in the general business community of the value of a strong HR presence in every organization.
• Continually finding new ways to promote member visibility, improve information sharing, and offer members unique features and benefits that enhance their professional development.
• Focusing on the importance of networking and information sharing to be recognized as the place in San Diego to find HR professionals and consultants for all businesses.
• Creating San Diego’s best HR Service Provider Network and Directory using the Recruiters Roundtable website and offering all San Diegan’s a one-stop option to find HR providers and support the local community.

To learn more about SDRR, visit www.sdrecruiters.com or www.twitter.com/sdrecruiters for frequent updates.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO RECRUITERS ROUNDTABLE 

In San Diego, HR is all about staying connected! The San Diego Recruiters Roundtable is a community of hundreds of local HR professionals from independent consultants to executives with the area’s largest employers who join together to share information and network within San Diego’s business community. The Recruiters Roundtable Listserv is a super highway of HR information, where members exchange ideas and industry related advice in real time. For more information on Recruiters Roundtable or to join, visit www.sdrecruiters.com

June is the month to Grow Who You Know in San Diego’s HR Community!

San Diego Recruiters Roundtable wants you to Grow Who You Know and expand your HR network in San Diego.
During the month of June, we are offering a special program for both new members to join SDRR and new HR service providers to join our Service Provider Network. It’s more important than ever to have a strong network. In San Diego, HR is all about staying connected!

Grow Who You Know in HR Promotion June 1 – June 30, 2009
Join SDRR or our HR Service Provider Network at www.sdrecruiters.com
Discount code required for offer below: SDRRwow (code is case sensitive)

New Members: Join SDRR during the month of June and pay only $109.00 25% off our normal member annual fees!

Referred Members: Get referred to SDRR by an existing member during month of June and pay only $109.00 Grow Who You Know and both win! New Member AND Referring Member both get 3 bonus months added to memberships!

Service Providers: Our Service Provider Network is growing! Let’s continue to build our unique directory into a resource for our community that is a one stop place for us to find all types of HR Service Providers. Refer your favorite vendor or provider to create their FREE listing on the SDRR SPN, and we will give you 2 months free membership! Service providers include: relocation, staffing, headhunter, event planning, catering, brokers, HRIS, HR consultants, outplacement, and more!

This special offer will be effective during the month of June only, and the discount code above is entered during the payment process. In order to receive free membership bonuses, the referring member name must be included on the registration form. New SPN registrations must list referring member name at time of registration.

Why join SDRR now? It’s hard to list everything you’ve been missing, but we’ll try!
• Access to SDRR listserv email group- instant answers to your HR questions by accessing hundreds of HR peers and colleagues in a solicitation-free environment
• Networking and speaker events – available to members only
• Participate and utilize SDRR’s unique quarterly Member Surveys – we are tracking key HR metrics and company activities quarterly and publishing the results. Our members are the first to know the trends in San Diego’s HR Community.
• SDRR Website – searchable member directory, document library, events calendar and member photo gallery
• Post unlimited jobs on our website and Access our member-shared resume database of over 6000 resumes and growing. We have up to 1000 candidate hits a day on our jobs, and we don’t charge members to post!
• Let us enhance and support your Social Media presence for company and job branding: SDRR posts all member jobs on Twitter, Facebook and sponsors a member only SDRR LinkedIn group.
• FREE access to SDRR Experts, including top Labor Attorney and top Benefits Broker for answers to member questions
• SDRR Board has developed and is implementing a 2009 Strategy to promote HR talent and Consultants within the business community and be known as the place to go to find excellent HR Professionals.

We have over 400 members and growing! June is the month to Grow Who You Know in San Diego, and be even more connected to the HR Community! We are also having an outstanding event June 10, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. HR meets Social Media: A panel of local experts discuss finding jobs, candidates, and branding your business via social networking. See our website for more details such as member/non-member pricing and rules regarding non-member attendance. Happy networking, and tell a friend about SDRR today.

You simply cannot afford to miss this SDRR Networking event!

HR meets Social Media: A panel of local experts discuss finding jobs, candidates, and branding your business via social networking.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rock Bottom Brewery

8980 Villa La Jolla Drive

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Join us for a great opportunity for fun and casual networking, a cocktail, and a panel of experts on Social Networking who will show us what we need to understand about this media as it relates to HR. Feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just plain lost when it comes to social media, social networking and how to incorporate it into your company’s HR or business strategy? Whether you are already a LinkedIn LION, or you still think a tweet is a talking birdie, you need to hear this panel to get all the pieces to the puzzle.

Register online now at:

San Diego Recruiters Event Registration

Ask a question in advance to the panel on your registration form, and we’ll address it at the event!

Cost:                Includes 1 drink ticket and yummy appetizers

Member:         Online cost through Tues, June 9th:           $18.00    

                        Door Cost on June 10th:                               $20.00

Guests:            Online cost through Tues, June 9th:           $30.00*

                        Door Cost on June 10th:                               $40.00* 

*This event is only open to Human Resource Professionals. Past and future members are welcome to attend as guests of our current members, provided they meet all membership qualifications and guidelines.

Meet the Panelists and their topic focus:

Doug Coull: Founder, President and CEO of SmartSearch

Mr. Coull has 27 years experience in the staffing and recruitment industry, including 20 years experience in corporate management in the software development industry, and seven years progressive experience in recruitment and management of recruiters and sales personnel in the technical services industry. Mr. Coull built APS into a multi-million dollar company specializing in the development and deployment of automated staffing systems. 

·              Why are traditional job boards shrinking, and how & why should companies brand themselves and their jobs on social media to attract candidates

·              How can you automate portions of social media marketing, what are the key tools?

·              How to use social media sites to check references and vet out candidates

 Chris Husong: Social Media strategist at Real Voice Media

A Business Consultant at Real Voice Media with more than 20 years of experiences, my gifts of vision and focus, combined with my astute knowledge of business, sales, and Social Media have helped countless business owners close the gap between where they are, to where they want to be. I combine my innovative and practical ideas and entrepreneurial experience with the Consulting, Social networking and Business Consulting resources to provide business owners the tools they need to grow their businesses.

·              Why is networking, both social media and in person, so critical in today’s economy

·              What are the do’s and don’t in social media that HR people must be aware of

·              How to maximize linked in’s networking value and build up your connections

 Morgan Brown: Co-founder of Resume Donkey and marketing expert

Morgan Brown is the co-founder of Resume Donkey, an online resume review and writing platform powered by recruiters across the country.  Passionate about new media, online marketing and building relationships through technology and customer service; Morgan puts social media and online marketing tools to work.  With a strong background in online marketing, Morgan brings nearly 10 years of experience in web development, search optimization and marketing, permission marketing, loyalty program development, online application development and new media marketing.

·              How do you find and search for candidates using social media

·              What impact does social media and viral networking have on the resume and its format

·              What is the key to getting a following on twitter, ie what do you tweet about, etiquette, rules, etc? tips on who to follow?

 Brandon Moreno: HR Consultant, Business Coach/Speaker at Leading Edge Thought, & SDRR VP of Professional membership:

For Brandon Moreno, his work as a distinguished consultant, motivational speaker, and empowerment coach isn’t just a job, it’s a mission. After logging nearly two decades as an exceptional Human Resources, staffing, and organizational development professional, he developed a unique fusion of heart-driven business savvy to take organizations to the next level – guiding people to unleash their powerful inner resources. To his delight, clients from Fortune 500 companies to cultural creatives are embracing his Leading Edge Thought principles and techniques.

·              How HR Consultants and small business can brand themselves using social media to build their business and attract clients

·              What is the value of a Facebook fan page:  how do you build it, what do you do with it, and how do you attract fans?

·              SDRR is building a social media presence and creating awareness for all member jobs. How is this pooled resource an incredible value for our members? (shameless plug)

Janis Whitaker: JP Whitaker & Associates, Interview Coach/Trainer/Speaker/Author

Janis Whitaker is the owner of J P Whitaker & Associates, a results-oriented management training enterprise established in 1991. Janis has been a learning and development professional for over twenty-four years. Janis is a published author, “Interviewing by Example: Finding the right piece of the puzzle” Janis skillfully integrates years of corporate expertise and plentiful consulting experiences into her workshops, bringing her presentations to life. Her subtle humor, personable style, and seasoned professionalism set her apart as a highly sought after presenter. As a highly-qualified specialist, Janis Whitaker’s ultimate goal is to develop strong leaders and communicators in the workplace by enhancing an employee’s personal and professional skills.

·              Using Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites for your own job search

·              Tips on what to say and do once you get the interview so you can get an edge on competition