innovative recruiting in a conservative corporate environment

Innovative Recruiting

Jenny DeVaughn

Manager, Social Media and Employment Branding

Within a Conservative Corporate Environment

October 24th, 2011

@JennyDeVaughn

#RIS11

Agenda

• Disclaimer

• Introduction

• Six Lessons Learned

• Q&A

Innovative Recruiting Within a Conservative Corporate Environment

Disclaimer: Any mention of a tool or vendor does not necessarily imply an endorsement or dissatisfaction. Opinions expressed are my own, not of my employer.

Jenny DeVaughn Manager, Social Media and Employment Branding

• Consistently ranked in the top 10

most connected women on LinkedIn

• Former Director at HODES

• Served as mRecruitingcamp emcee

• Avid NASCAR fan

• @JennyDeVaughn on Twitter

Happy Birthday, Dad! Like Erpelding, Voigt & Co on Facebook http://on.fb.me/evcpa

Waste Management

• On a mission to maximize resource value, while

minimizing and even eliminating environmental

impact so that both our economy and our

environment can thrive

• Over 20 million residential, commercial,

industrial and municipal customers

• Employs 40,000+ in the U.S. and Canada

• Largest residential recycler in North America

• Hiring over 1,500 positions nationwide

http://www.wm.com

Waste Management

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wastemanagement

• Twitter:

@WasteManagement @WMCareers @WMCares @BagsterBag

• Foursquare:

http://foursquare.com/WMCareers

• YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/wastemanagement

http://www.wm.com

@JennyDeVaughn #RIS11

Safety is a Core Value with Zero Compromise http://www.wm.com

Innovation is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It can make the impossible, possible. - Bill Gates

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Roadblocks to Innovative Recruiting

• “We’ve always done it this way” mentality

• Office politics

• Budget concerns

• Other important issues or interests

• No support from leadership

• The idea may be hard to understand

• Regulated industry or process

• Lack of legal consent and/or IT support

• The innovator isn’t valued

Possible in any corporate environment

Lesson Learned #1 “The Things We Think and Do Not Say” should not be said all at once.

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Lesson Learned #1

• This is a career limiting move (CLM)

• Via Nick Jimenez aka @NickyJay

• Conservative work environments do not react well

to large midlife-crisis self-imposed changes

• Focus on smaller changes with priorities based on

revenue and results

Result:

• Participate on a WM Social Media Council with

other leadership for approval of new projects

“The Things We Think and Do Not Say” should not be said all at once.

@JennyDeVaughn #RIS11

Lesson Learned #2 Explore innovative recruiting services from vendors already approved into your budget.

Lesson Learned #2

• Familiar external partners make it easier to get

your current and future budget approved

• Get more than a quote from an external resource • Discuss your desired result and ask for their solution

• Give your leadership two solutions to choose from

that will provide preferred outcomes

Result:

• Partnered with Monster.com on our first WM

Careers videos, as a part of their services offered

Explore current vendor innovative recruiting services.

Waste Management Careers http://bit.ly/WMCareersVideo

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Lesson Learned #3 Focus on the bottom line, not professional pet peeves.

Lesson Learned #3

•No one is promoted for keeping the office

microwave clean

•Find out when and how your talent acquisition

department is measured

•Look for areas of opportunity, not places to hang

“Your Mother Doesn’t Work Here” signs

Result:

•Offered social recruiting training for each team,

during their pre-scheduled weekly meetings

Focus on the bottom line, not professional pet peeves.

Lesson Learned #4 It’s ok to start a social media profile by broadcasting jobs.

Lesson Learned #4

•Although not ideal, realize this is phase one of your

social platform

•Monitor traffic and other metrics

•Update your strategy with recommendations based

on initial findings

Result:

•Switched from broadcasting jobs to engagement

and double followers/fans within 3 months

It’s ok to start a social media profile by broadcasting jobs.

Lesson Learned #5 Find a corporate champion that other executives respect.

Lesson Learned #5

•Communicate the strengths and positives of your

innovative idea with her/his interests in mind

•Present concise ideas in a preferred format

• Email with bullet points, PowerPoint or spreadsheet

• Include a financial visual of the potential positives

•Show a timeline of specific steps/phases

Result:

•Met advocates in Operations and other departments

to help them reach their goals using social media

Find a corporate champion that other executives respect.

Lesson Learned #6 When you fail, resist complaining and adjust your strategy or tactic.

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Lesson Learned #6

•Other corporate departments are allowed to fail

• Think prototype, pilot or trial

• Innovative ideas take extra work and time to

integrate

•Limit the impact of negative outcomes by using

30-60-90 benchmarks

Result:

•Monitored analytics of year-to-date recruitment

marketing spend to dismiss myths

When you fail, resist complaining and adjust your strategy or tactic.

@JennyDeVaughn #RIS11

Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” — Theodore Levitt

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My Innovative Inspiration Will (3) and Julia (5)

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Thank you! Jenny DeVaughn

Manager - Social Media and Employment Branding

Waste Management

1021 Main Street, Suite 1200

Houston, TX 77002

jdevaughn@wm.com

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

http://www.WMCareers.com

Twitter: @JennyDeVaughn #RIS11