I really don't need to remind you how technology has changed the way many companies manage their day-to-day work.
It wasn't that long ago, before the advent of websites, online forums and the huge rise in social media usage that if you were searching for new job opportunities you would either scan all the National & local newspapers for job adverts or drive to your local recruitment agency and register for suitable positions that were available.
The point is that conversations ruled. Whether sitting down with a client for a meeting or having a conversation on the telephone, the simple 'chat' was the most important element of the communication process in the candidate experience. This was the key to creating a relationship between your agency and your applicants.
Today, the conversation has now turned digital, be it an email, a status update or a Tweet. Recruiters are now 'hiding' behind a keyboard and a computer for their relationships. Technology and social media has the ability to increase our horizons and encourage interaction across digital networks, but it has limitations. An email or Tweet is brilliant for mass communication, but to add personality to your business pick up the phone and connect with them. Recruitment agencies are a 'people' business and a personal relationship is worth so much more than a friendly Tweet.
Recruiters are big fans of social media, but it can become addictive and ultimately distracting from the process of actually doing what they should be doing: Networking with people! Communication is the goal in providing the right service for clients and is the most valuable part of what they do. If recruiters want to practice what they preach, then they need to humanise their businesses.
Having technology around shouldn't change the way recruiting businesses operate in being a people business. So don't just rely on sending emails or chatting on Twitter and call your clients. Chances are you will find a lot more information about them than sending emails back and forth. The irony is that many businesses now rely on their online presence so much that they may be missing opportunities by people who don't 'get' technology. So guess what? We are back to that item sat on your desk: The telephone.
Technology and social media are like many things in life that should be best used in moderation. We need to nurture our relationships and not hide away behind our digital networks. Of course social media can introduce us to new people and new clients, but ultimately, whatever our industry, we should keep focusing on providing a personal service with a personal touch.