We can thank daily updates on apps, new technologies and where people go to find their information – be it on a new job, or the latest music.

Below are some blog posts that are, hopefully, looking slightly outside the box in terms of recruiting. There are some fantastic resources out there and it is a topic that many people seem to be keen to share their thoughts on. So the more reading and information you can gather, the more you can stay ahead of the pack – and snap up that talent before the competition!

Strategic market research: What you don’t know can kill your recruiting

By John Sullivan, on ere.net

Part 1
Why is recruiting like sales and marketing? This post looks at how important it is to know your target market – i.e the top talent, regardless of whether they are currently job hunting or not.

Part 2
The second part of this post goes through the steps of how to address the need for more information, plus examples of what you can implement to make it work. It also pin-points the most important areas to focus on.

Recruitment evolution, not revolution

By Richard Long on jobblog.co.nz

The recruitment landscape is changing and once again it reinforces the importance of communicating your company’s culture to the outside world.

We did something about the candidate experience

By Chad Godhard for ere.net

‘First impressions’ is a two-way street. This post details what one US company did when they realised many good candidates were falling through the recruitment cracks into the ‘black hole’.

Why companies aren’t getting the employees they need

By Peter Cappelli on The Wall Street Journal

This post looks at the importance of hiring companies searching for candidates with potential, rather than trying to find the ‘perfect’ recruit – because chances are, you won’t find them.

Here is proof that social recruiting is right here, right now

By Andy on SironaSays

Know your target talent pool and where they seek their information. This post addresses how to use social media wisely and why one size does not fit all.

Should you block social media access?

Maybe you don’t need a policy says publisher Michael Hyatt in this post on five reasons why your company doesn’t need a social media policy.

But if you do, here’s a round-up of useful blog posts to help you out.

10 must-haves for your social media policy

This post by Sharlyn Lauby outlines 10 things you should consider in your social media policy;

1. Introduce the purpose of social media

2. Be responsible for what you write

3. Be authentic

4. Consider your audience

5. Exercise good judgment

6. Understand the concept of community

7. Respect copyrights and fair use

8. Remember to protect confidential & proprietary info

9. Bring value

10. Productivity matters

Should Your Company Have a Social Media Policy?

Here Sharlyn Lauby covers the need for a social media policy and how to begin.

1. WHY have such a policy?

2. WHAT can social media do for my organization?

3. WHO should the policy cover?

4. WHERE should you let employees know about this policy?

5. WHEN is the right time to implement a policy?

Social Media Policy: Now is the Time

Five more things to consider when developing a social media policy from Paige Fleury at Logical Juice.

1. Start with what employees CAN do versus what they can’t do.

2. Include rules around use of social media during work hours.

3. Remind employees that they are responsible for what they write

4. Start with what you know.

Social Media Policy Examples

This post includes over 123 social media policies examples compiled by Chris Boudreaux.

AND there’s a free report to download – “Analysis of Social Media policies – lessons and best practices.”

And here are some interesting points if you’re debating blocking social media in your organisation, following on from B.L. Ochman’s post on Five Reasons Companies Should Not Block Access to Social Networks

If Your Sky Falls, It Won’t Be Because of Social Media

Why HR shouldn’t fear social media by Lisa Rosendahl.

Twitter and Facebook: The New Tools of Productivity or Distraction

Brian Solis asks: do social networks increase or decrease productivity on the job?

What are your thoughts?