The Use of Social Networking Sites for Recruitment and Selection - Dissertation Example

The use of social networking sites is considered of paramount importance given the fact that the company can access young people who are computer literate. In the same manner, social networking sites attract them more than the advertisements displayed on the company’s website.

However, various issues have been related to the use of social networking sites in the company’s recruitment and selection. Some were concerned as to the appropriateness of the use given the fact that social networking sites are not used for such purpose but rather, for meeting new friends. It is in this regard that this research aims to solicit the perceptions of young people regarding the tendency of companies to use Facebook for recruitment and selection and how this affects their use thereof.

Chapter 1:

Introduction

Background of the Study

            In the past decade, there was an increase in the usage of the internet. One of the main results thereof is the fact that it changed the way by which people interacted and communicated with one another. Without a doubt, the internet improved communication and relationships. More and more people now have the capacity to stay connected with their families (Sharp 2009). With its popularity, the rise of social networking sites was also facilitated by the increase in the usage of the internet. Succinctly, social networking sites are defined as those places wherein people from different places but with similar interests come to communicate, share ideas and meet new people (Sparrow 2009). These social networking sites then require their members to build a profile where the latter share pertinent information about them.

            Social networking sites are more popular with young people than with adults (Sharp 2009). The former makes use of these sites in order to communicate their personality ideas. In fact, a number of studies have pointed out that the personalization of social networking sites can be likened to the manner by which young people choose their clothes. Simply put, how young people express themselves or how they want others to view them is evident in their Facebook or MySpace profiles. Nevertheless, there are other uses for social networking sites. Various researchers have pointed out that market researchers have already tapped social networking sites in order to determine the purchase behavior of the users thereof. Surprisingly, however, there are also companies now that conduct their recruitment and selection processes over the internet, through these social networking sites. Notwithstanding this, studies show that Facebook and other social networking sites continue to be used for factors such as: chatting with friends, posting and viewing pictures, staying in touch with friends, etc (Wellman and Haythornthwaite 2002; Witte and Mannon 2010).