Would you use social networking sites for your job search?
A thread in the Executive Marketing Group of LinkedIn* opened a discussion on the value of social networking sites and extreme SEO as marketing tools. Many great points were made, but the main idea was, would social networking take the place of current marketing techniques and outreach?
As a former marketing executive back in the day when computers were steam driven, I tire of listening to all the pet rock conversations. The basics of marketing are the basics of marketing for a reason.
As for the social networks and commerce, doesn’t it all depend on the target audience? The assumption is that the entire customer base for all the products uses Twitter et al. The increased population of social network sites does not reflect those who stay away in droves…read, missed opportunities.
I whine; cannot commerce benefit from a focus on more than just genX, genY.
In the words of one savvy respondent, Paul Van Winkle, Corporate Marketing Officer, “There are clear basics and fundamental principles (of marketing and any other practice) — and there are new developments and contexts. New developments don’t change the requirements for basic principles and knowledge! Yes, false prophets and counsels of fools seem often confused, and are often driving the buses.”
I keep track of the thread and have contributed my own two cents. The concept of using social networking for job search reared its ugly head and I am provoked to rant. Readers of my blog know it doesn’t take much.
In my practice for executives and technology leaders I often field questions about the viability of Facebook and Twitter as employment resources. The answer remains the same and probably will for years; nothing beats talking to people to create a real network (as apposed to simply acquiring contact information). There are better places for executives to spend their precious time be it online or off.
Again, as a job search coach, I am inflamed by the mythologies and carpetbaggers who derail candidates’ job searches with simplistic solutions.  I shake my virtual fist at Paul’s false profits who encourage candidates to rely heavily on Twitter et all for leads, connections and job opportunities.
Those who embrace that advice take what looks like the easy way out (it is hard to pick up the phone when you are an exec and you more so when you need something; far easier to use the keyboard) and thus postpone the time when they are once again contributing to the economy by spending their six figure income.
Net? In my view the big picture is the ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS DELAYED by job seekers who embrace all the hoodlihoo about social networks as job search nirvana…And that’s the truth (a quote from Edith Anne, which tells you, I am not a GenY,X.)
I anticipate as I post this blog that I will receive many comments, anecdotal declarations of success using Facebook or Twitter. But the fact remains, statistically, a technology leader or executive’s time is best spent establishing personal connections to real people with whom they create a bond.
*you must be a member of the group to see the thread. LinkedIn is not, in my view a social networking site; it is a business networking site and does not fall into the category discussed in this blog.
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Career advice, executive jobs, linkedin, social networking
Themocracy
Evaluating this concept on its face, I would agree. Networking is contacting as many as you can to ‘advertise’ your search for employment. This is no different than the contacts we make within our churches and other social circles to leverage those who are employed, whose firms are looking for candidates, AND who wish to help out. I recently met at our church that sponsored a Career Night. One of the HR directors in attendance, from a major firm, indicated that FaceBook and MySpace have been productive in finding qualified applicants as a result of the company’s decision to offer employees as much as $8000 for a new employee referral. They have saved hundreds of thousands in search fees as a result.
Conversely, I worry about how many networking sites one can effectively manage in an effort to sustain a productive search. There is the tendency to mistake activity for productivity, and too much networking site networking could be counter-productive.
I really do not have the answer. I merely use my good judgment, follow the advice of those I trust, and sustain a regular, focused contact effort by phone, email, and meetings.