15+ Essential Social Media Recruitment Statistics [2023]: How Effective Is Social Media Recruiting?

Social media recruitment research summary: Recruitment isn’t always easy, but social media can make the process a whole lot simpler. In fact, many recruiters now use social media as a valuable networking tool.

To find out more, we’ve investigated all of the essential facts about social media recruitment. According to our extensive research:

• 57% of job seekers use social media in their job search.

• 73% of job seekers aged 18-34 found their last job through social media.

• 84% of organizations are recruiting through social media.

• 67% of employers use social media sites to research potential job candidates.

• 70% of managers have had success hiring through social media.

• 94% of recruiters use social media.

For further analysis, we broke down the data in the following ways:
Employer | Job Seeker | Recruiter

Employer social media statistics

Social media is relied on by many employers to find and gather information about potential job candidates. So, to learn more about how these employers use social media to recruit, here are the facts:

• 82% of organizations use social media to recruit passive job seekers.

  The fact is that 37% of US workers are passive candidates who’re interested in a new job but not actively searching. With that in mind, organizations use social media to access this massive chunk of potentially qualified candidates.

• 92% of employers use social media sites to find talent.

  That means using social media sites to find talent ranks above ads, employee referrals, and even job boards for employers

• 9% of companies that don’t already recruit with social media are planning to.

  Adding to the 84% who already do, that equates to a massive 93% of companies who will be using social media to recruit new candidates.

• 54% of companies have eliminated a candidate based on their social media feed.

  Up to 70% of employers use social media to screen potential hires, and having anything inappropriate on your feed can easily put you in the discard pile. That’s why it’s important to have a clean social media account.

Job seeker social media statistics

While social media is useful for employers, it’s also a vital tool for job seekers. From networking to seeking out recruiters, here are facts:

• 79% of job seekers use social media when searching for jobs.

  Just as companies use social media to vet potential candidates, so do the candidates use it to analyze companies. That way, they can learn whether or not the company is trustworthy.

• 52% of recent job seekers use four or more resources when conducting a job search.

  Using multiple resources to find a job is far more common that using only one, with only 11% of job seekers using only one resource.

• 75% of job changers use LinkedIn to inform their career decision.

  And there’s a reason why LinkedIn-influenced hires are 2X more likely to appeal to employers. Plus, the networking provided by LinkedIn allows potential hires to get their foot in the door, so to speak.

• 81% of job seekers want to see career posts on Facebook.

  With 83% of job candidates being active on Facebook, it’s a great social media site for career posts. No wonder so many people want to see them.

• 62% of Gen Z have discovered job opportunities on social media.

  Generally speaking, the likelihood of discovering job opportunities on social media decreases with age. For example, 56% of Millennials have discovered opportunities, while only 12% of Baby Boomers have.

  Job discoveries on social media by generation

  Generation	% of those who discovered job opportunities on social media
  Gen Z	62%
  Millennials	56%
  Gen X	31%
  Baby Boomers	12%

Recruiter social media statistics

Social media makes the lives of recruiters much easier, especially when considering the fact that so many candidates are passive. To find out more about how recruiters use social media, here are some crucial statistics:

• 90% of recruiters search Linkedin to fill company job openings.

  And there’s a reason why the talent pool is 10X bigger when using employee networks. For that reason alone, LinkedIn is an incredibly effective way of finding new candidates.

• 56% of recruiters say they find the best candidates through social media.

  This is more than any other method, with only 37% of recruiters agreeing that they find the best candidates through job boards, for example.

• LinkedIn is the most popular social media site for recruiters.

  90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to fill jobs, compared to 55% using Facebook and 47% using Twitter.

  Top social media sites for recruiters

  Social media sites	% of recruiters who use it
  LinkedIn	90%
  Facebook	55%
  Twitter	47%
  Instagram	11%

Social media recruitment statistics FAQ

1. What percentage of recruiters use social media?

   94% of recruiters use social media. The most effective of which is LinkedIn, which is used by 90% of recruiters. Other popular sites to use include Facebook (55%) and Twitter (47%).

   The fact is that 37% of all job seekers are passive, meaning that social media is a great way for recruiters to find hidden talent and network with potential candidates.

2. How effective is social media for recruitment?

   Social media is very effective for recruitment. 71% of hiring managers agree that social media profiles are an effective way to screen job applicants.

   Further, 56% of recruiters say they find the best candidates through social media. That makes it more effective than any other channel for hiring the best candidates.

3. What percentage of employers check social media?

   92% of employers check social media. More specifically, 67% say they use social media sites to research potential job candidates. Believe it or not, 54% of companies have eliminated a candidate based on their social media feed alone.

4. What percentage of job seekers use social media during their job search?

   79% of job seekers use social media when searching for jobs, with LinkedIn being the most popular social media they use (75% of job seekers have used LinkedIn to make a career decision).

   However, the percentage of job seekers who use social media also depends heavily on their age range. For example, 62% of Gen Z have discovered job opportunities on social media, while only 12% of Baby Boomers have.

5. How effective is social media for finding a job?

   Social media is a very effective way of finding a job, with 73% of job seekers aged 18-34 finding their last job through it. Those looking for jobs can easily use social media sites like LinkedIn to share information about their previous work and qualifications, as well as reach out to potential employers via private message.

   Social media is also a great way for job seekers to research companies and employers they’re interested in, which can also make it easier to excel in applications and interviews.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a recruiter, employer, or job seeker, social media has become a vital tool for success in the job market. In fact, 92% of employers and 90% of recruiters use it, followed by 79% of job seekers.

Social media has become so popular because it’s an effective way for job seekers to network and an effective way for recruiters to seek out passive, high-quality candidates.

Knowing that the best way you can succeed on the job market is by investing more in your social media presence, regardless of what your goals are.

References

1. ICIMS. “How Are Job Seekers Using Social Media?” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

2. Resources for Employers. “INFOGRAPHIC: 37% of US workers are passive candidates. Who are they?” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

3. INC. “54 Percent of Employers Have Eliminated a Candidate Based on Social Media.” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

4. Pew Research Center. “1. The internet and job seeking.” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

5. Cision. “Nearly Half (48% each) of Gen Z and Millennials With Work Experience Have Applied to Jobs They Found via Social Media.” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

6. CivicPlus. “5 Ways to Leverage LinkedIn for More Than Job Ads in Talent Management.” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

7. AdWeek. “Survey: 92% of Recruiters Use Social Media to Find High-Quality Candidates.” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

8. JobVite. “How to Reach Candidates on the Top Social Platforms.” Accessed on August 29th, 2022.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.