As a digitally savvy entrepreneur with an interest in the industry, I see the same mistakes being made by nearly every recruiter. Worst of all, nearly everyone is doing the same thing and afraid to push the boundaries. It’s what I call the sheep mentality. Let’s just do what everyone else is doing as it seems to work and we get ok results. Comments like “we have always done it like this” will soon see some recruiters redundant if they don’t change their ways and embrace the digital world.

So how do know if you are guilty of this sheep mentally? Start by asking yourself these questions:

• Do I reach out to candidates on Linked In only when I want to interview someone for a role I am trying to fill?
• Am I really using Linked In effectively to elevate my personal and business brand?
• Have I fully optimised my LinkedIn page to make it searchable?
• Do people compliment me on my digital visibility?
• Is my social media stream mainly full of job ads?
• Do I write articles that don’t offer my clients or candidates any value at all because they are too sales focused?
• Do I understand how to leverage my brand across traditional and digital platforms?
• Am I taking opportunities to leverage my companies content?
• Is my content focused on me rather than being focused on client and candidate outcomes?
• Can I name 3 things that I’m doing that no one else (or very few people) in my industry do? (be honest)
• Do I keep up to date on the latest digital trends, tools & platforms in order to stay ahead of my competitors?
• Am I overwhelmed by digital and don’t know where to start?

I guarantee your digital visibility isn’t being optimised to its full potential which equals missed opportunities.

Digital provides a massive opportunity for recruiters to create valuable and networks that are engaged and not just sit on a database.  Using digital channels you can find, communicate and build relationships with clients and candidates Australia wide (or across the Globe if that’s your goal). You can join in with various communities, show your expertise, share your brand culture, find prospects, build long term relationships and have two way communication.

Digital has changed the way you should be doing business. But you need to start thinking differently and find ways to use your digital channels to innovate. This video on looking outside your industry might help to get you started.