MySpace Sourcing....creepy?
I have been working on a search for which I'd run out of conventional methods, so I decided to try something different. This might be old news for some of you, but it was a new thing for me:
site:myspace.com keyword keyword keyword
What this did was bring up MySpace profiles of folks with the keywords I specified somewhere in their profile. I was amazed at the results I got. One of the keywords I used was "AIM" so that I would find a method of contact for these people. The reason I am writing this is because I got two completely different reactions from those I reached out to - one of total suspicion, and the other of real curiosity. In each instance, I introduced myself, my company, provided information for them to verify my credentials, and told them what my purpose was in contacting them. Here are two examples:
Suspect: this individual used the word "creepy" when I told him how I'd found him. He told me "Well, I have no idea who you are, and I could not possible take you seriously what so ever." Even though he chatted briefly with me about a college co-op program he was in and about some political things, he obviously was suspicious of my sourcing method and told me that he "wouldn't recommend going down this path." I ended our conversation by letting him know that I would not contact him again, and wished him good luck in his co-op.
Curious: this person was a little sketchy at first, asking me if I was a spammer, but remained intrigued by encouraging me to "go on" with what I was asking. He said "what the heck" in response when I told him I'd found a way to contact him and thought what the heck? At the end he was asking what he needed to do to be considered for the opportunity, and I asked him for his email address and told him the name of the person I would be passing it to. That recruiter has since reached out to this individual and I'd love to see a placement come out of this.
Here's the issue: where does one draw the line on privacy? Both of these individuals had put contact information on their accounts. (incidentally, I have my AIM name on our company MySpace account for people to freely reach out to me). Also, how would this be any different from sending an email to someone who listed it on their profile or on their webpage?
If you put your AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, etc. screen name on a public profile, it would seem like you would welcome someone to contact you. Now, someone who abuses this and sends messages requesting dirty webcam sessions or assistance in moving money from foreign accounts, that's not right. But in my case, I presented myself, gave my contact information and profiles for verification, and stated my purpose immediately.
site:myspace.com keyword keyword keyword
What this did was bring up MySpace profiles of folks with the keywords I specified somewhere in their profile. I was amazed at the results I got. One of the keywords I used was "AIM" so that I would find a method of contact for these people. The reason I am writing this is because I got two completely different reactions from those I reached out to - one of total suspicion, and the other of real curiosity. In each instance, I introduced myself, my company, provided information for them to verify my credentials, and told them what my purpose was in contacting them. Here are two examples:
Suspect: this individual used the word "creepy" when I told him how I'd found him. He told me "Well, I have no idea who you are, and I could not possible take you seriously what so ever." Even though he chatted briefly with me about a college co-op program he was in and about some political things, he obviously was suspicious of my sourcing method and told me that he "wouldn't recommend going down this path." I ended our conversation by letting him know that I would not contact him again, and wished him good luck in his co-op.
Curious: this person was a little sketchy at first, asking me if I was a spammer, but remained intrigued by encouraging me to "go on" with what I was asking. He said "what the heck" in response when I told him I'd found a way to contact him and thought what the heck? At the end he was asking what he needed to do to be considered for the opportunity, and I asked him for his email address and told him the name of the person I would be passing it to. That recruiter has since reached out to this individual and I'd love to see a placement come out of this.
Here's the issue: where does one draw the line on privacy? Both of these individuals had put contact information on their accounts. (incidentally, I have my AIM name on our company MySpace account for people to freely reach out to me). Also, how would this be any different from sending an email to someone who listed it on their profile or on their webpage?
If you put your AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, etc. screen name on a public profile, it would seem like you would welcome someone to contact you. Now, someone who abuses this and sends messages requesting dirty webcam sessions or assistance in moving money from foreign accounts, that's not right. But in my case, I presented myself, gave my contact information and profiles for verification, and stated my purpose immediately.
I would be very interested in some feedback from anyone on this. Please let me know your thoughts on this search. Thanks!
Disclaimer: check with legal department to know if this would apply to the SPIM/spam laws
Disclaimer: check with legal department to know if this would apply to the SPIM/spam laws
5 comments:
In my professional opinion if you are on a social networking site (LinkedIn, MySpace, GeoCities or whatever) and you put yourself on there intentionally, you have clearly made yourself available to be found. Thus you should not act surprised when someone finds you :)
Also, Amybeth, you are not selling anything, and you are not spamming. You are providing them with a business opportunity which can potentially improve their career and their life. You are not lying, coercing, misrepresention or misdirecting in any way. This is no different than meeting someone casually on the train, or in a conference, and suggesting you may have a career opportunity which may be of interest to them.
I recently posted a similar string in my blog about a week or two ago. I was using a combo email search string with site and it yielded a much more interesting approach. One example would be:
site:myspace.com "*.gmail.com"
Tack a keyword onto it and bam. Approaching people via email comes across more professional than on some alternate instant messaging service.
I have had success using screen names when contacting candidates and have in fact added my own screen names for AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo to my email signature and it comes in handy quite often. I can't even begin to tell you how many candidates will message me there long before they'll sit down and reply to an email. Or, they'll message me from their sidekicks, and other mobile phones while on lunch, or taking the train home to avoid suspicion at the office. You have to remember, Generation Y is here and they're all about instnat gratification via communication. this is growing increasingly apparent with the uprising of text messages. Plus it makes me more available to my candidates in the evening hours when they're home sitting on their computer and relaxing.
With regard to the use of myspace in general, I think it holds a double edged sword as sometimes you may see things that could cause a biased opinion about that candidate. Anything flies on myspace and religious, ethnic, and any kind of slur imaginable can and will show up and before you know it, you're ruling out candidates based on their personal taste and not on their ability to function at their job.
On the other hand, it could spark more of an interest in a candidate and allow you to 'bond' over common interests and possibly align with them for job orders and other referrals more easily.
It's kind of a messy subject, but definitely one not to be ruled out or taken lightly. I equate LinkedIn to a grown up version of myspace, yet I have accounts with both and use them both daily.
Well, that's my two cents. If anyone wants to contact me more on the subject.
Mikey N
AIM: mnotarothg
YH!: mnotarothg
Email: mnotaro@thg.com
Blog:feedthebeagle.spaces.live.com
I have recently been utilizing facebook to locate likeminded young entrepreneurs for the SearchPath International Young Entrepreneur program. Facebook is a website used by younger college students and recent alum to keep connected to friends and classmates. By joining entrepreneur groups I have been able to reach out to those with similar interest. I have recently been using several approaches to social networking. Now I often have people contacting me and one of the first things I will ask them is how they heard about me. This is not because I am offended that they contacted me. This is because I want to know what method that I am using is working. Thanks for the good info Amybeth!
Hi Amybeth...
I disagree with shally ere that just because someone has a MySpace account they are fair game to be called. Found? Yes. Prospected? No. Particularly via the phone. That's why they have message boards.
Peple on CareerBuilder, Monster, HotJobs, The Ladders? Yes, most definitely--call them, send them emails, IM them. These are not social networking sites; they are professional networking sites. In 8 years that I have been in the recruiting industry I can only think of one candidate that I called off a job board that acted as though I had somehow invaded their private space. I have not, nor do I have an intention of reaching out to people on MySpace, simply because that's not the purpose of the site.
If MySpace users begin to get bombarded by recruiters, telemarketers, whatever, then you can bet they will start making their profiles private, shutting everyone out that doesn't have permission. I think this defeats part of the appeal of MySpace: connecting with people in a social capacity. People create their profiles for the world to view because there is a degree of trust: they trust that the profiles will be viewed and used for the purpose that was intended--not as a "prospect me!" sign. Once that trust is violated, the doors will close and lock-up.
I do not blame you whatsoever for investing it as a potential resource, but I would be prepared for more "creepy" responses, as well as some belligerent ones.
Correction: investigating it as a potential resource, NOT investing in it...Thad
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