Millennials and Gen Z are turning to social media when it comes to finding new career opportunities. A new survey by CareerArc in collaboration with Harris Poll showed that almost half (48% each) of Gen Z and Millennials with work experience have applied to jobs they found on social media.
This is critical information for employers looking to expand their team during what has been dubbed a “war on talent” by many headhunters. Beyond formally applying, social media is also where young professionals (58%) search for information about potential employers, and where they lean on networking to uncover opportunities. Almost half of Gen Z and Millennials with work experience say they have connected with recruiters or prospective employers on social media like TikTok and LinkedIn.
This new approach to hiring also offers unexpected benefits, like improved diversity of candidates. Hispanic and Black Americans with work experience reported being far more likely to find job opportunities on social media than their white counterparts.
Job boards and fairs are no longer enough to reach a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates. Senior leaders need to consider their social recruiting strategy and analyze whether the public-facing content on their social channels is accurately representing company culture.
“With US employers adding 528,000 jobs in July—surpassing economists’ forecasts and returning to pre-pandemic levels—the war for great talent and how organizations are recruiting continues to be at the forefront of business goals,” said Jim Bramante, CareerArc Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This data presents a clear picture of how critical a tool social media is for today’s jobseekers and the companies trying to recruit them.”
