Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should - Do Your Research

It seems like hardly a day goes by that I don’t get a call or email from an HR or recruiting technology vendor who has something to sell me.

They have seen what I’m working on and it needs to be optimized.

They have a solution that will make our hiring a snap.

They think I loooove all things social media so surely I must want another solution that integrates social.

They have got something to sell… and it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Or so they think.

It’s hard to stay on top of the latest and greatest. I cannot read as many blogs as I’d like. I cannot possibly consume all the white papers I download. I do not read all of the email newsletters that I subscribe to. I know where to turn to for great information on new technology and trends, but I can’t keep on top of it. Which makes me nervous because how do I know if what they are selling is any good?

So I’ve been thinking about this lately. And especially so because technology has allowed us to do make huge leaps – but is it really necessary for what we do? Or are we over-complicating things… just because we can?

I have been M.I.A. lately getting some huge launches out the door. New career site with amazing, simple, intuitive search functionality. (Thanks,

Avature.) Our first ever mobile career site which will see ongoing enhancements throughout 2013. (Thanks, Punchkick Interactive.) New employer brand campaign which is being pulled through everywhere. (Thanks, Evviva Brands.) And the commonality with everything we launched? It’s all backed up by research among job seekers and our associates. And loads of it. I’m pretty confident that the approaches we’ve taken make sense for what job seekers have told us they want and need right now. But whenever vendors come a-knocking – I can’t help but wonder… is it what our customers actually want?

It’s easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles of new technology. It’s easy to get distracted by a shiny new object. And you might think it will make your life easier. You might think it will make you look like a hero. But is it right? And does the job seeker or your employee base even want it?

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Do your research. Make sure vendors have done their research. Ask them for it. Make sure they have something solid to back up their strategy and technology. And even if they have, ask yourself… is this what the people really want?