Social Networking Goes Professional - Thesis Proposal Example

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS Foreword: This research paper studies what professional networks are. Thesis: The introduction of the professional networks enhances the opportunities for both an employer and an employee. A professional network - is a kind of social network based on the Web. In contrast to the social networks the business ones are determined to carry out and establish any kind of business and professional links. While in the ordinary network the main goal is to introduce yourself, your hobbies and common interests, this network is job-oriented. The most often visited sites are those of LinkedIn, Viadeo, XING, and Yahoo! Kickstart. I can surely say that even social networks (e.g. Facebook) have entered the world of business. Not only are the goals of the nets different but also the consumer groups. While in Facebook these are mainly teenagers, business networks are used by people after 30, or by those who have just entered the world of job. The users of the professional networks exploit the site to clear up the details of their occupations, to find an employer or to recruit an employee. Business executives also turn to such sites to be aware of the latest information that can be applied in their business. For many reasons the social networking has entered the business world only recently. It has always been considered entertainment for young people where they can communicate, comment their photos ad create blogs. “Employees are wary of disclosing too much to potential competitors, and loose-lipped executives can easily embarrass themselves and their companies online” (Vascellaro, 2007). The censure on business sites is still under way, because the majority of people still take these networks not seriously. Another reason why business people do not use it very often is that they have little free time, and can use the site only when they believe it brings the definite answers and work assistance. Scientists say that the appeal of business networking belongs to industrial companies, factories and plants, where the workers are distanced from each other and do not have an opportunity to discuss problems face to face. Though professional networking is a relatively new phenomenon in the Internet, it suggests free services for providing valuable information or bringing in new users. The profits of the site come from giving the access to valuable information or providing the outside business information access. For instance, Sermo Inc. of Cambridge, Mass “generally charges $100,000 to $150,000 a year to nonmedical businesses like hedge funds, which use it to research such things as how doctors feel about new drugs” (Vascellaro 2007). Each professional site has the statistical service that surveys the popularity of jobs and some professional questions. In other words, the site is operated as any other social network. When fewer people are recorded to visit the site, the site directors introduce additional reductions or advertising techniques that attract more users. One more particular feature of the business network is that directors of the site try to provide the verified data about their users - that is why in order to be registered your data are checked in several databases. It is very important for the users to get true answers on their questions. Though, even having such measures business people abstain from revealing valuable information on-line. Despite the fact that many businessmen do not trust professional sites, according to statistics more than 65% of them are registered in those sites, and moreover participate actively in the discussions. The main reason of those businessmen who neglect the networks is their ignorance of how to use it. Professional networks contribute greatly to the development of the worker. It helps to find vacancies, to hire skilled employees, to exchange professional information and to create your future career plan. You can easily get the phased plan of your career development. For instance, I would like to become CIO in manufacturing, and then I have to fix the terminal destination of my promotion, to insert information about myself. After that I am given a direct plan or advice what to begin with, to what I shall pay attention, what knowledge I need to obtain. “Business networking is built on existing communication and collaboration technologies, but brings in an aspect of possibility” (Vascellaro 2007). The majority of business networks are aimed at bringing in new information, which has not circulated round the Internet yet. As a rule, this information represents some advice from personal experience or sometimes some business assumptions. The technique that is usually used in such sites is giving a problem to many people to discuss it. If you want to communicate with the author of the problem you can easily contact him/her. The greatest advantage of the network is that you can share experience not only with your counterparts but also with the specialists from other countries. Business networking is important both for job-seekers and employers. There are two possible results of the participation in the network. The first one is that you want to work as a freelancer, and then you are just hired through the Internet performing a test task. The second one is that you are invited to the face-to-face interview because your CV has caught the employer’s attention. Moreover, business networks help you to reveal hidden opportunities and to be more competitive in the labor market. Participating actively in networking you get hold of up-to-date information, that therefore gives you advantage in the labor market. Professional networks, as well as ordinary networks do help people to overcome their natural shyness. It may be difficult for a person in real life to ask for advice a more experienced professional – and on the site a person gets answers on the questions and has the opportunity to communicate freely with everybody. Professional networks are aimed at creating groups of the definite thematic interests. A user can chose either to enter the existing association of workers or to create the new one. Another benefit of a professional network is an easy access and exit. If the situation arises that you cannot any longer stay in the site you may just disappear on the Web. As you can see business networking provides many advantages, though it has also a number of disadvantages. First, despite all efforts of the site directors the certain percentage of information is false. The problem is that it is very hard to distinguish between true and false information. It is necessary to discuss the problem with several users, then information is more reliable. Another disadvantage is that you cannot experience non-verbal communication through the Internet, though it plays a great role in the process of communication. And the last one is that phased planning is rather efficient though you need to make some amendments for real life. Bear in mind that sticking to the original plan is good but sometimes life demands creativity. In my desire to become a CIO in manufacturing, I have to do the following procedures on Linkedin: 1) to build a group of partners and to be ready to get new information from them; 2) to set my objects that I have participating on Linkedin; 3) to think of any information that can be useful for my on-line partners – since participating on the site implies not only taking information but also providing it; 4) to think of my presentation. I mean the statement that describes my background; 5) to set links with others CIO working in manufacturing; 6) to give my current position and ask for advice from my partners; 7) to build the career plan for me with the help of Linkedin service. Taking everything into account I should say that introduction of professional networks enhances the opportunities for both an employer and an employee. It makes the process of job search more efficient. For those who want to start their career in the new area, the site provides unique opportunities to get knowledge on the subject and to share their own experience. It is possible to create a phased plan that defines the steps in the career plan definitely. I believe that this innovation in the business world has great future since it contributes greatly to the process of career making. References 1. Jessica E. Vascellaro (2007). "Social Networking Goes Professional. The Wall Street Journal, 28 (08), 14-16 Read More