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An unemployment rate of 10.2% means that serious jobseekers are using every tool they can find. So, it's not at all shocking that social networking tools top the list, with LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter leading the charge. Openings are being tweeted, hints of a new position are being monitored and hot candidates are being hit up directly, even if they aren't saying they're on the prowl for a new gig. Social media is a tool to use in a job hunt but not necessarily the only one, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Instead, it makes sense to balance a search with many tools.
John Challenger, CEO, says, "The job search has changed radically over the last two decades with the advent of electronic mail, the internet, social networking, smart phones, etc. However, it is important to remember that all of these technologies simply enhance the job search; they will never replace the face-to-face connections that are critical to a successful search." But, he continues that "we feel that these new networking tools are essential and now advise all of the job seekers going through our program to open LinkedIn accounts and to consider other services such as Facebook and Twitter.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports that approximately 51% of internet-using adults in the U.S. belong to social networking sites, up 25% from 2007 (according to Forrester Research). The fastest growing age group on Facebook is the 35 and older crowd, and LinkedIn is designed to be a tool for the online professional. And, a Pew Internet & American Life Project study shows that 19% of internet users are sharing their thoughts with the world, up from 11% earlier this year.
Challenger says, "Social networking is an easy way for job seekers to build their network by reaching out to former colleagues and classmates, as well as fellow alumni and industry professionals. Job seekers can then use their networks to uncover available positions and to establish relationships with hiring managers or contacts who can give them a recommendation." This is a long way from the newspaper classifieds, cold calls and early message boards that were used only 10 years ago. I got out of the Army in 1999 and remember the Boston Globe classifieds being six sections thick or more. Monterboard, as it was called, was a way to supplement a search.
It doesn't work that way any more.
The use of social media actually dovetails with the most successful job search tool of all time: networking. Every headhunter, counselor and advisor I've met has emphasized the importance of getting out, shaking hands and meeting people. Friends of friends are much better than 100 sent resumes on Monster. Social networking is merely an extension of this real world behavior.
The risk, though, is that the lines between work persona and personal persona can be blurred. "Social networking should be used cautiously, however," warns Challenger. "As these sites become increasingly intertwined, it will becomes easier and easier for potential employers to access the more personal aspects of job seekers' lives." A recent survey by Careerbuilder reveals that 35% of HR professionals killed consideration of an applicant because of a social media misstep, such as inappropriate or provocative photos or poor communication skills. Only 18% offered an candidate a position based on social media research.
"Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the Internet is the permanency and pervasiveness of any and all information that finds its way there. Comments on a friend's blog, reviews on consumer sites and inside jokes made for a private audience on a social networking site's public group page are all available at the click of a mouse to potential employers," Challenger says.
Employers are turning to social media, too. A survey by Jobvite found that 80% of companies are either using social networking sites to source candidates or are planning to do so. LinkedIn is most popular for this purpose (95%), with Facebook at 59% (up from 38% in 2008) and Twitter, used by 42% of recruiters.
These tools can help both seekers and recruiters, but Challenger advises that neither party overvalue these virtual relationships: "It is too easy to simply sit in front of one's computer all day, scanning job boards and expanding one's virtual network through LinkedIn. However, these online connections are superficial at best. It takes a lot more work to turn them into meaningful relationships that can advance your job search. In the end, face-to-face meetings are still the most effective relationship-building tool available."
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