Let's get this straight - social media is a revelation for recruitment and anyone that thinks differently should exit left. Social recruiting is here to stay.

One of the real strengths of using social media in recruitment, is the ability to find many more candidates. However this can also be a false positive.

Just because you find these rare and sought-after talented individuals that you crave, it doesn't then follow that they will have any interest in you!  If you don't adapt your approach to making contact and engaging with these people, you might as well be recruiting unicorns for all the chances you have of succeeding with them.

That may sound a little harsh, but take LinkedIn for example. How many of us have been on the receiving end of the (quite frankly) stupid and naive emails from recruiters?
"Hi [first name familiarity when don't know them], I am a recruiter for BB Bloggs Inc [like it is going to impress you] and I have just picked up an assignment for a superb new job that would be perfect for you [how the hell to you know, you haven't even spoken to me before]. Can you let me know if you are interested and I will send you the spec through."

'Unicorns' need ...