Are recruiters really using the internet?

A long time ago, before I bought this domain and set up this blog, I Googled myself to see what came up. What came up, was Neil McIntyre Photography, at neilmcintyre.com. It’s taken about a year, but I’m now the #1 result when you Google me. Great success!

On a related note, I keep reading that recruiters and hiring managers are increasingly using the internet to search about their candidates. Most articles focus on these inquisitive people finding embarrassing pictures which result in the candidate not getting the job (which I guess makes for a juicier story from a readership standpoint), but this post on Web Worker Daily focuses on improving your online “brand” and using it positively to get jobs.

So why is it that of the many recruiters I’ve talked to since passing the UFE, precisely none of them have mentioned that they’ve seen my blog? As noted in the first paragraph, it’s easily found. The whole thing is very puzzling.

Update: Here’s another interesting take on the recruiting industry: “I’ve been increasingly annoyed by the spammy, mail-merged, sugar-laced drivel that passes for “personalized” contact these days.” Read the rest, it’s gold!

5 thoughts on “Are recruiters really using the internet?

  1. > So why is it that of the many recruiters I’ve talked to since passing the UFE, precisely none of them have mentioned that they’ve seen my blog?

    I think for the very reason why you’ll never see pictures of them on Facebook, they’re generation X er’s (at the youngest). They’ve yet to realize that those in generation Y are broadcasting their identities openly online.

    Does your blog URL appear on your resume?

  2. I don’t think they would even see his resume, Patrick.

    The best thing ever – recruiter-comedy-wise – from the past month was hearing a colleague answer a call.

    Within 2 or 3 seconds I could tell she was on the phone with the exact same recruiter who had left me a voicemail earlier that day.

    Great link there – I love this comment “I remember when .NET was still in beta I came across an advert for someone with four years .NET experience! I don’t think Anders Hejlsberg was interested.”

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