For today’s job applicants personal branding is key.
It’s why in 2015, 61 percent of human resource managers polled in a Society for Human Resource Management survey said they used social media networks to “obtain more information about an applicant than would be provided by just a resume.”
Matt Sweetwood, President and CEO of the new social network beBee, said that checking social networks for personal information tells hiring managers if applicants will “fit in with the culture” of the company and offers a window into job seekers’ life.
“Everybody is looking for that extra edge to understand a job applicant,” Sweetwood said.
Sweetwood and his personal branding expertise will be a focal point of RecruitmentQueen’s third annual HR Summit on Oct. 28. The gathering of HR professionals will feature educational sessions and networking opportunities.
RecruitmentQueen President and CEO Jennifer Schultz said the area’s top HR experts will be on hand to discuss various topics driving human resources and hiring, including social media recruiting; how candidates are viewing your brand; how to attract diverse candidates; and how to build the emotional intelligence of teams.
Sweetwood, the HR Summit’s keynote speaker, said that while owning his business he devised a marketing strategy to develop his personal brand. Since selling that company, Sweetwood said that running the U.S. operations of the Spain-based social media company “really was a natural evolution.”
“Ultimately personal branding is about applying your personal interests … with your professional side,” Sweetwood said. “That makes a complete person.”
Similar to LinkedIn, beBee’s 11 million users create or join “hives” of shared interests, naturally lending themselves to professional networking and a more trustful relationship.
In addition to Sweetwood, Georganne Ford, founder of Bucks County-based By George Coaching will lead a session. CJ Bachmann, 1SEO.com VP of Operations, will also speak during the HR Summit, as will Darren Brown of LogicMelon and Chris Russell of Career Cloud. Other speakers will be announced soon.
If you go
RecruitmentQueen’s third annual HR Summit of Bucks County and Philadelphia will be held on Oct. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brightwood Career Institute, 177 Franklin Mills Blvd., in Philadelphia. Cost is $10 and includes a hearty breakfast. Click to register or for more information: http://www.recruitmentqueen.com/pages/4478-hr-summit-of-bucks-county-philadelphia
