Why so many recruiters blog

The challenge with the recruiting blogosphere for many is just keeping track of the sheer number of voices that exist within it. Many people just end up reading one or two of their favorite blogs and periodically link to interesting blog posts referenced elsewhere; some use a blog aggregator or feed; others ignore the blogosphere altogether. I'm somewhere in the middle - trying to contribute but not trying to get sucked in too deep.

So why are there so many recruiting blogs? I think I have a possible answer (perhaps not the only answer, but it's a working theory). It goes like this:

1. Recruiters know the hiring process better than anyone.
2. Recruiters know that publishing interesting content helps them get found by employers, helps add context to their resumes and provides interesting fodder for discussion during an interview.
3. Recruiters know that blogs help them connect with other people with similar interests that can help them find gigs down the road.

In short, I think that so many recruiters blog because they know that it helps them get jobs. Granted, some of the more inflammatory blogs actually might hurt peoples' chances of finding work at certain companies - not to pick on anyone, but The Recruiting Animal comes to mind, although it could be argued that even the Animal gets some gigs or splits out of his efforts. Or maybe he's just completely insane... who knows?

I believe this is a case of recruiters knowing their domain better than the rest of the general public, who may eventually catch on and start building more of their own blogs in other industries (lawyers, for example, already have a significant base of bloggers). What do you think?

Comments

[Jason Davis]

Dave, If you listen to the intros of the last 2 weeks of the Recruiting Animal Show www.recruitinganimalshow.com it will leave little doubt as to your questioning his sanity.

[Joel]

Ego.

[Dave Lefkow]

Id.

[Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com]

Great blog entry. Thought you'd be interested in reading my entry as it builds on your thoughts: http://www.CollegeRecruiter.com/weblog/archives/2007/07/why_so_many_rec.php .

[Dave Lefkow]

well said, steven - how blogging helps tpr's vs. corporate recruiters is an interesting angle. thanks for the post and comment!

[Recruiting Animal]

This is a great one for my endorsement file. But now I've got to start asking you to come on The Recruiting Animal Show. Just so we can fight. Keep the fire burning. What fire? That one.