What makes any recruiter successful? What gives you the edge to become part of the elite? Or looking at this question from a different angle: What are you missing that is holding you back?

While recruiters must find talent, that’s not the most critical dimension of the job. The real skill is in getting talent to recognize the value of engaging with YOU. Google yourself. Do you see a compelling story, one that would suggest you are the right connection to someone’s next great new career opportunity?

“2015 is the year by which Forrester predicted 50% of devices on corporate networks would be mobile. If you combine this with the knowledge that Generation Y, who spend on average two hours a day on their smartphone and use six apps a day, will form 50% of the workforce by 2020, you get a picture of where internal communications are going. Do mobile comms mean social comms? No, but it’s getting very close.”

As the world rapidly changes and the next generation sees the world through a distinct lens, are you visible? Are you available in the places they frequent? Are you accessible through the methods they find easy and comfortable?

With 7.2 billion people on the planet and mobile communications evolving at lightning speed, the numbers are staggering. Whether you consider worldwide numbers, the mega social sites or the constant arrival of new upstarts, it’s clear the world is awash in ways to engage others through social media:

  • 65 billion mobile users have access to the Internet via smartphones and tablets
  • Nearly 2.1 billion people have social media accounts and close to 1.7 billion people have active social media accounts
  • Viber has more than 200 million users (a relatively new mobile provider)
  • There are 639 million users on Qzone (China)
  • 600 million users on Whatsapp (mobile messaging)
  • Facebook messenger has 500 million users (you all know what that is!)
  • Wechat is close behind with 468 million users (China)
  • Snapchat has 100 million monthly users (video and picture sharing social site)
  • Russia’s “VKontake” has 100 million Users

Sources: Growing social media, Pewinternet.org, LinkedIn.com, Wearesocial.net

Why are so many people climbing on this bandwagon? Because social media is the new dimension that provides everyone a face, a voice and a way to share their point of view. Who you are can be expressed through this media in whatever way you choose. It’s all about people connecting, to share and gain access to information they need.

Recruiters and organizations that fail to embrace this power are missing the opportunity to be relevant, connected and visible. Those who miss this opportunity suffer the potential risk of being doomed to fall behind their more creative and social competitors. James Malloy, senior manager of candidate development at VMware Inc., cuts to the chase: “We’re sharing our story and creating relationships.”

You know the audience you’re after and you want them to know you. Creating instant interest is about being visible and accessible — on your clients’ terms. Constant and interesting content makes the social environment spin. You can spin with the world or stand still. Are you the readily accessible super star who is constantly engaging your audience, or are you the invisible recruiter?