We covered the basics of Google Buzz in our previous post, below we look into the most important points when applying the tool to recruitment:
1. Search
The power of Google Buzz as an interactive search tool is significant. Through clever use of the search facility using shortcuts one can quickly pinpoint relevant information.
- Searching for both passive and active job seekers & engaging with them in real time becomes a reality
- Searching for similar job opportunities and subsequently interacting with others who have commented on similar positions in the message thread is an interesting concept
2. Integration
One of the great features that can be taken advantage of is the ability to integrate your Twitter, RSS, Youtube, Picasa, Google Talk status into Google Buzz. The significance of this is the fact that one does not have to go to each and every channel you use (Twitter, Facebook, Buzz etc) and post your message. Post it in 1 place and it will syndicate across the other channels.
When one stresses the importance of taking an holistic approach to using the different services available – web syndication services become particularly important in terms of time efficiencies.
3. Real Time Engagement & Collaboration
Engaging with users in real time, sharing links, documents, multimedia etc – this opens up a whole new world of potential candidate engagement.
4. Viral Marketing
As per twitter, update your status or integrate your twitter feed with Google Buzz and have your message reach your followers and their potential followers, immediately.
5. Location based services
Google has placed huge emphasis on the tool’s location based services from a jobs perspective this is particularly interesting. Think location based job services, being able to track that I am a user in Sandton, Gauteng with interests in IT, gaming & networking and serving relevant job opportunities currently being advertised in my area.
Further advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Mobile phone support, get it on the move
- Simple setup – No technical knowledge required
- Ease of use
Disadvantages
- Early adopters phase, the tool is new and still needs time to increase user uptake
- Privacy – There have been a few privacy issues after the launch, see:
- http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/12/google-buzz-privacy/
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1251678/Google-Buzz-row-privacy.html
Google Buzz is a new tool, freely available to all. There is no doubt that the tool poses significant advantages from a talent sourcing perspective and in a slowly recovering economy the value that it brings in terms of cost savings (less traditional marketing/agency usage etc) & efficiencies demands that recruiters stand up and take note.
