Using Social Media To Help With The Job Hunt - Literature review Example

How the social media is influencing job search Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 INTRODUCTION 5 Purpose of the Study 5 Scope 5 SOURCES AND METHODS 5 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 6 Linkedln 8 Twitter 9 Facebook 9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 10 Table of figures Figure 1: Number of Applications found their jobs through Social Network in 2012 6 Figure 2: Recruiting by Social Network in 2012 7 Figure 3: Users on Social Networks 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The primary objective of this report was to investigate how social media has influenced job search. These research was carried out through using secondary data, print books on job hunting, job adverts on company websites and articles from the Seneca databases. According to recent reports it is believed that several companies do a background check of the new staff they would like to higher. As a result most people have either deleted most of the things they have been posting on these sites or they have decide not to mix their professional lives and their social lives. This report has also found out that a number of graduates have been hired through some of these social media. In connection to this, I conclude that it is important for job seekers to post information which can help them to market themselves. Memorandum To: Ms. Adriana Neil, English Professor From: Roze Adel and Hoang Mai, students Subject: Using Social Media To Help With The Job Hunt Date: November 24, 2014 Here is the report, which you requested in week one, about the topic of how using social media can help candidates to find their desired jobs. The topic involves the statistics of primary Social Networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The report includes the According to what we found on the Internet, the In order to complete this, I am grateful to my partner….. Who has helped me to complete this report…? The divided task is given such as Hoang Mai will do and Roze will do I hope that this report will provide proficiency information needed to…. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to receiving the feedback from you. Enc. INTRODUCTION Social media is undoubtedly changed in communication as a mean of medium transfer method between jobs and employees. It is where users will communicate through social networking sites for any kinds of social purpose. According to the recent research by CareerBuilder, 43% of employers use social networking sites to screen for the potential candidate. The number is steadily increases from 39% in 2013, and 36% in 2012. It shows that employers are now focused on the research for potential candidates through social media conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder from February 10 to March 4, 2014, and included a representative sample of 2,138 hiring managers and human resource professionals, and a representative sample 3,022 full-time, private sector workers across industries and company sizes. Social media has made a dramatic impact on the workplace. With more than one billion users each month, Facebook is likely accessed by every organizations employees at and outside of work." (Kaplan, 2013) Purpose of the Study How social media has impacted the job search process of graduating seniors. Scope The report covered most of the following: Face Book – A social online network founded in 2004. Twitter – an online networking site that enables users to interact with others by using “tweets” to send and read 140- characters messages. LinkedIn –A Professional network online service which was founded in 2002. SOURCES AND METHODS Information for this report came from these sources: ·             Print books on job hunting ·             Jobs ads on company websites ·             Articles on job hunting from the Seneca databases FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION This section contains findings which were obtained Linkedln twitter and other social sites. A recent Japan survey shows that 62% of people who are actively searching for jobs in Japan have been altering the information they post because they are afraid that employers will use that to judge them (JCN par. 3). For example, figure 1 is showing the number of applicants who found their jobs in 2012 through social network, figure 2 is indicating the percentage of people recruited through Facebook, twitter and Linkedln. Finally figure 3 shows users on various social networks. Figure 1: Number of Applications found their jobs through Social Network in 2012 Figure 2: Recruiting by Social Network in 2012 Figure 3: Users on Social Networks According to JCN 42 % professionals change their privacy settings and about 20 % edit the photos they tag on the platform. On the contrary 38 % claim that they do not change on information they put on the social media because they do not believe that any potential employer will look at their profile. According to Christine Wright an operations Director at Hays argues that “Most candidates have a social media profile, and when it comes to job hunting it is important that you are responsible with it. A growing number of hiring managers believe that such content can give good insight into a candidates character and likely cultural fit with the organisation” (Crompton and Sautter 6). "While there are many advantages to using social media as part of your job search, it can also work against you if you are not careful," says Japan-based Hays Operations Director, Asia, Christine Wright (JCN par. 4) "Most candidates have a social media profile, and when it comes to job hunting it is important that you are responsible with it. A growing number of hiring managers believe that such content can give good insight into a candidates character and likely cultural fit with the organisation.” (JCN par. 5). "In such cases, a Facebook profile with a public setting, content on video-sharing sites or on forums or blogs may reveal information that could make an interviewer see you in a different light. "Thats why we advise candidates to assume that all publicly available online content could be used as part of the decision making process. Change your privacy settings and be sensible in the content you post online. But dont just restrict your focus to pure social sites like Facebook or Twitter - Google your name to make sure all online content is appropriate (JCN par. 3). "This will help keep work and social life separate in the job hunt process, particularly if candidates feel that their personal life should remain outside the assessment process." "In such cases, a Facebook profile with a public setting, content on video-sharing sites or on forums or blogs may reveal information that could make an interviewer see you in a different light. "Thats why we advise candidates to assume that all publicly available online content could be used as part of the decision making process. Change your privacy settings and be sensible in the content you post online. But dont just restrict your focus to pure social sites like Facebook or Twitter - Google your name to make sure all online content is appropriate. "This will help keep work and social life separate in the job hunt process, particularly if candidates feel that their personal life should remain outside the assessment process." Of course, candidates can also use social media to their advantage. According to Christine, "Many candidates are attempting to use the web to enhance a potential employers perception of them, for example by creating a LinkedIn profile and leveraging their network. To do this effectively, a candidate needs to have a clear idea of the role theyre looking for, and find groups related to that particular field. "Other candidates are showing their passion for their particular specialisation by blogging about the latest trends. This can highlight their expertise to a potential employer. "While these are sensible steps to take in todays job market, its also advisable to remember that social media cannot replace the traditional recruitment process. Recruitment is a people industry, and an employer still needs to see a candidates CV and meet them face-to-face. So we advise candidates not to neglect writing a solid CV or preparing for an interview, in favour of enhancing their online presence." (JCN par. 4). Linkedln A research carried out in 2012 by Chartered Accountants Ireland, shows that of all the people surveyed about 60 % use Linkedln everyday. From the extensive use of the social media, it is obvious that recruiters are continually using it to recruit staff members (Karin par. 4). Colm who is the head Human Resources at Grant Thornton says that “Linkedln provides us with access to potential candidates with profiles that are a 1 00% match to our needs and allows us take control of the recruitment process”. "We recently started using Linkedln to source candidates directly," says Colm Molloy.Head of Human Resources Training and Standards with Grant Thornton. "Linkedln provides us with access to potential candidates with profiles that are a 1 00% match to our needs and allows us take control of the recruitment process." (Karin par. 3). This argument has also been supported Dave Riordan (Karin par. 3 ) who says that they find Linkedln a very useful tool because it enhances headhunting capabilities and therefore gives unparralled connection to key people. It is therefore, obvious the number of organizations using social media to recruit their staff members. Most HR managers use the information you have on the social media to verify new recruits is increasing. Twitter Even though it is not the first social site that crosses any job seeker but twitter site has been described by several authors as the best site to meet C.E.Os especially those who like using social media. A quick search shows that jobs are advertised daily. The author also argues that twitter can be helpful in preparation of interview because several company’s update their twitter accounts regularly as compared to their websites (Drobok par. 2). The author also argues that one of the main advantages of using any social media to search for a job is because one has the ability to identify, research and target companies for various positions (Labovich, Laura and Salpeter par. 3). On a research which was carried out by Borker on the social marketing in emerging economies it was evident that Food Beverages, Telecom, Travel industries and Financial institutions are the ones which frequently use twitter as a medium of communication (Bender and Cassandra par. 5). Facebook According to World Bank, 2013, Facebook has the largest numbers users. In 2011, Facebook had 680 million plus active registered users. Recent research has shown that several people do not want to Many people do not want to mix their social lives and professional lives on Facebook. This may be understandable because several employers check the back ground of most of their employees through some of the social networks. The author argues that even though updating your status that you need a job may not get a job, but certainly sending a private messages may get you one (Bender and Cassandra par. 5).   CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS From these findings it is therefore evident that social media has a great role to play when it comes to searching for a job. In connection to this it is important that any job seeker should present himself or herself in a mannerly way. This is because it is evident that most companies and organizations use the social media to vet their candidates. Works Cited Crompton, Diane, and Ellen Sautter. Find a Job Through Social Networking: Use Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and More to Advance Your Career. Indianapolis: JIST Pub, 2010. Internet resource Drobock, Kristina. "Is Social Media a Friend or a Foe?." Strategic Finance 95.11 (2013): 16-18. Business Source Complete. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. Labovich, Laura M, and Miriam Salpeter. 100 Conversations for Career Success: Learn to Tweet, Cold Call, and Network Your Way to Your Dream Job. New York: Learning Express, 2012. Print. Phillips, Simon, and Simon Ellinas. The Complete Guide to Professional Networking: The Secrets of Online and Offline Success. , 2014. Internet resource. Wandel, Tamara L. "Student Use of Social Media." (2010). Print. Bender, Staci and Oryl, Cassandra “Use Social Media to Enhance Your Career”. (2013). Print. JCN. Hays Japan Survey Shows 62% of Active Job Seekers Change Their Social Media Habits. 2012. Print. Karin, Lanigan. ”If you are not LinkedIn you cant win”. 2012. Print. CONCULSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Works Cited http://socialmeep.com/infographic-the-social-recruiting-pocket-guide/ http://www.careerbuilder.ca/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?sd=6%2F26%2F2014&id=pr829&ed=12%2F31%2F2014 Kaplan, C. (2013). Social Media in the Workplace - Employers Must Now Comply With Strict NLRB Oversight. JD Supra Law News. Retrieved from http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/social-media-in-the-workplace-employer-16871/. Read More