Interview with Editor in Chief of ERE.net - a Social Network for HR Specialists

If you have read Ray van den Bel’s review of ERE.net, you must already know that it is one of the leaders among niche social networks. It operates in a very precise segment – it is a social network strictly for recruiters and HR specialists. Today I am pleased to publish an interview with Todd Raphael, Editor in Chief of ERE Media.

So first of all will you please introduce yourself.

My name is Todd Raphael, I work on ERE’s conferences, print, and online publications. I don’t really write myself – what I try to do is help keep our pulse on the business world and the recruiting world, and use that information to guide our publications. I try to spend a lot of my time talking to the business community, whether by email, phone, or preferably in person (where I’d often rather be than behind a keyboard).

How did the idea of ERE.net emerge?

David Manaster started the company as an email communication between recruiters. Over the years it has expanded into live conferences, news articles, a print publication, in-depth research, and more. There are thousands of social networks for almost all the communications.

Why do you think a special network is needed for recruiters and HR specialists?

For one, recruiters have a special kinship in that they face a lot of the same challenges, and their own companies don’t always appreciate how tough their jobs are. For another, they have valuable information and tips that can help each other. Also, they tend to be social people, “people people.” I feel fairly similarly myself, personally; I’d normally rather talk than be behind a keyboard, and I try to visit our members as much as I can and hear what they’re working on.

What is special and unique about a social network for recruiters? What special features do they need for their communications and networking?

They appreciate the ability to discuss mutual challenges both by industry (such as healthcare) and by region (such as India or Indiana).

ERE.net is considered by many experts to be the leading website in its niche. Whom do you consider to be your major competitors?

In my view, our biggest competitor is time. Our readers sometimes say they have very limited time to get information in print, online, or in person. Our challenge is to be highly efficient in providing them valuable information in a concise way.

What features of the website bring the highest value to members of your network?

Honestly, it depends. For some people, it’s the networking. For others, it’s the newsworthy articles and features. For others, it’s the useful, tools-like articles. For others, it’s the job board. For others, it’s something else.

What are the most active networking groups at ERE.net? What are they generally used for?

They’re used to get useful tools and tips, things that people need to fill jobs, manage resumes, convince people to work for them, and so on. The necessary information is the most popular information.

Can you describe your community by some three characteristics that are common to all members of ERE.net?

They tend to be more advanced than others in the profession. They like sharing and advancing the field. And they’re generally highly motivated, driven folks.

Can you tell that your community of recruiters is really global? And if so, do recruiters differ very much from one country to another or do they mostly share their interests, ideas and problems?

It’s an interesting question, because I’m emailing you from our ERE conference in Amsterdam. We have a nice crowd here of more than 100 recruiters from all over Europe and elsewhere. Two weeks ago I was in Moscow. Earlier this year, I was in Israel, meeting with a pretty impressive, interesting assessment vendor and an equally interesting applicant-tracking company. Their challenges from Moscow to Tel Aviv to Amsterdam to Chicago are similar, but in some countries they’re using more advanced tools to address similar recruiting challenges.

So ERE is engaged in some offline activities? Is it used as some form of a professional association for recruiters?

We have a ton of offline activities, including three conferences annually (two U.S., one Europe), in-depth research reports, and a print publication.

What are the plans for ERE’s future?

To globalize more; to provide more information for third-party recruiters; to keep developing our online news/features section; to improve our networking features; more.