Is Social Media Effective For Sourcing and Recruiting Ag Executives?

For many businesses, social media is still a relatively new invention. Many organizations are still figuring out how viable it can be for various company processes, recruiting in particular. Many of our clients who are looking to find new executives and leadership are wanting to know how social media can be a viable recruiting tool.

Social Media as a Recruiting Tool

It’s undeniable that social media can be a valuable recruiting tool in some situations. Recent statistics indicate that nearly 80% of job seekers use social media in their job hunt. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or another network, brands generally do well to use those platforms for job marketing, if not direct application processing.

The problem is, those statistics are for general careers and job searching. We’re talking about the Ag industry specifically; and only the top-level leadership. Thus, two questions come up:

  • Are Ag industry leaders using social media?
  • Can you recruit executives through social media?

Let’s examine those questions in greater detail.

Can You Recruit Executives on Social Media?

Social media introduces a paradox for executives. On the one hand, the use of social media on a casual level is seen as a time-waster and a potential sign of an unengaged or unenthused individual. For executives in particular, where a go-getter attitude and a nose to the grindstone outlook are benefits, time spent on social media can be seen as a detriment.

On the other hand, social media remains one of the best marketing tools available, especially for individuals looking to build their personal brand, reputation, and position of thought leadership. Executives of all stripes can use social media to broadcast their thoughts and opinions, network with other leaders, and grow their personal spheres of influence.

To an extent, it all comes down to the platform in question. Many executives tend to spend more time on LinkedIn and Twitter than they do Instagram or Pinterest, with Facebook somewhere in the middle. Thus, if you’re looking to recruit executives, looking in the right places is essential.

Are Ag Leaders Using Social Media?

Modern agri-business requires deep awareness of modern technology, from cloud platforms to networking to internet-connected tools. The modern Ag executive is no different than any other executive in their need to understand and use technology. In addition to personal branding and thought leadership, Ag businesses benefit from social media channels the same way other businesses can.

So, as a simple answer: yes, Ag executives are present on social media and they can be very adept at a variety of platforms, if you know where to find them.

One Channel Among Many

Social media channels can be very effective for networking, and they can be a great glimpse into the thoughts and attitudes of individuals. That’s why recruiters around the world tune in to social media to review and filter their candidates. What people post to social media reflects who they are, not just the face they present to hiring managers.

If you’re in the Ag industry and you’re looking to recruit new leadership, social media is one viable channel to find them. However, using LinkedIn or Facebook is just one option among many.

If you’re truly in need of talented, skilled, and ambitious new Ag executives, you would do well to expand your horizons beyond the usual job sites and social networks. At Ag 1 Source, we’re a part of the Ag industry through and through. Our recruiters come from Ag, so we know what to look for and how to identify great leaders. Reach out today, and we can help you build that leadership team you need to navigate the coming years.