subject: RSS and Recruitment [print this page] RSS and Recruitment RSS and Recruitment
RSS, or really Simple Syndication is a group of web feed formats used to publish constantly updated content, like blog posts, news captions, audio or video; all in a standard format. These documents call feeds or channels benefit a web publisher by allowing a simple means to syndicate their content. They benefit the reader, in our case the recruiter, by having information from various sources in one location.
Every recruiter should take advantage of RSS and streamline their information gathering efforts. Suppose one could have the following information all in one place:
Learn if a company is down-sizing
Managers in one of your client companies gets promoted
A candidates leaves a post somewhere stating he's looking for a new position
A former candidate of yours leaves for a another company
The information that can be gathered is limitless.
How can this information be gathered?
RSS feeds are read using a software program called a feed reader, an RSS reader or a news aggregator; these can be web based, desktop based or even read using a mobile device. Chances are your web browser has a feed reader built right in; if not google feed reader. There are many free readers online.
What to look for...
Remember, in your niche, there are hundreds of RSS feeds that are of importance; corporate sites that publish information about promotions and research advacements. Industry forums, where passive candidates can be found, are everywhere. Even top candidates may run their own websites. A little research upfront, then add the feeds to the reader and all pertinent information is had in one single location.
So stay ahead of your competition. Learn everything that happens in your niche, and become your industy's top recruiter.