Many Jobseekers Use Social Networking

05.24.2011
HR & Safety

More than a quarter of people surveyed from around the world are going online in their hunt for work, but many are growing nervous about the potential fallout from personal content on social networking sites.

The findings are part of a new report from Kelly Services, which obtained the views of 97,000 people in 30 countries, including 18,000 from the U.S. Respondents were asked a series of questions relating to their use of social networking as an employment tool and also within the workplace.

The survey found that job boards have become the dominant source for people to find work, with more than a quarter (26%) of respondents using them to secure their most recent job. Word-of-mouth (22%) followed, ahead of recruitment and staffing companies (17%), direct approaches from employers (17%), print advertisements (7%) and social media sites (1%).

Even though a small number of people found their latest job through a social networking site, almost a quarter (24%) of respondents say they use such sites in their job hunts, with the results showing the highest use by Generation X (those ages 30 to 47) and Baby Boomers (ages 48 to 65).

Other survey results:

  • The most popular social networking sites to find work are Facebook and LinkedIn, preferred by 33% and 32% respectively. Another 10% use blogs, 3% use Twitter, and 23% use other sites.
  • Facebook is the overwhelming preference of Generation Y (ages 18 to 29), while LinkedIn is favored by Generation X and Baby Boomers.
  • More than a quarter of respondents (28%) are worried that material from their social networking pages could adversely impact their careers. All generations share concerns about the potential career fallout from social networking content, but Generation Y is the most worried.
  • More than a quarter of respondents (28%) believe it is essential to be active on social media in order to advance their careers.
  • The vast majority of respondents (68%) spend an hour or less each day on social media sites, while 19% spend no time at all. Only 13% spend an hour or more each day.

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