Proof Job Seekers Dont Get Social

Proof Job Seekers Dont Get Social Jobvite has released their newest study, Social Job Seeker 2012, which surveys how job seekers use social networks. What the study points out to me is that there is still a lot more these job seekers can do to pro-actively look for new employment. The shift in how companies hire people (primarily through referrals) doesnt match the actions or behaviors taken by job seekers. 69 Percent Jobvites study reports 69% of employed Americans are seeking or at least open to a new job. They call them job seekers and so will I. (The study reports 75% of the workforce (employed and unemployed) are seeking new opportunities.) 9% are employed and actively seeking a new job 60% are employed and open to a new job Let this be a warning to all companies! Your employees want to leave you! It is Harder to Find A Job When 61% say it is harder to find a job this year than last year, shouldnt that mean they need to try new tactics and strategies? If you continue to do what youve always done, wont you continue to get the same results? Social Profiles Dont Equal Use 85% of   job seekers have a Facebook profile 44% of job seekers have a LinkedIn profile 51% of job seekers have a Twitter profile Merely having a profile isnt going to be enough. The real value of social networking is the ability to connect with people. This is one of the largest misconceptions- If I put it out there, they will find me! While that CAN happen, the true value of social networks happens when you connect with people, mine your network for meaningful industry data and trends (not job postings), and ask for advice and information. What Actions Do Job Seekers Take On Social Networks? Can you call items one through four career activities? These are reactive job search actions. No wonder those interviewed for the study found it harder today to find a job.   They are engaging in the most competitive, congested, and less productive activities. Updated profile with professional information Provided your own profile on a job application or during an interview Modified privacy settings with work in mind Searched for jobs Researched a potential employer before/ during application process. Connected with a potential employer Had contact with a recruiter None of these As a matter of fact, the none of these responses were quite high across all three social networks: 48% on Facebook, 62% on LinkedIn, and 66% on Twitter. In my mind, this indicates they are missing opportunities to connect with potential employers and not really users of social networks, but takers! Facebook Faux Pas More job seekers are taking steps to professionalize their Facebook accounts by updating professional experience. Thats the one area of improvement. 51% of job seekers are NOT using Facebook for career gain. In other words, they did NOT do any of these things: I made new professional connections I asked a contact for help with a job search / career advice I shared a job opportunity with a contact A contact shared a job opportunity A contact referred me for a job A contact provided an employee’s perspective on a company They looked for posted jobs. And I find it odd that while 20% reported receiving a job lead from someone on Facebook, only 12% reported sharing job leads themselves. They must have missed the give to get message. Loosely LinkedIn 62% of job seekers with LinkedIn accounts are NOT using it for career gain. I am not sure why they are on the network at all? I would be interested to know how and what they are using LinkedIn for if they are serious about transitioning to a new job. Twitter Trouble 65% reported they did not use Twitter proactively. While they did receive referrals and job leads, only 7% shared leads themselves. The good news here is that 11% of Twitter users reported asking for insight on a company. Yay!  Social Networks Are There are certain strategies great marketers use to build brand awareness and promote their product across social networks. It would benefit all job seekers to learn how to use these strategies to improve how they are leveraging the power of social networks. Here are some of the better practices of businesses on social networks: Engage in discussion with potential customer, clients, employers Pull, dont push your message. Create valuable content and draw your customers to you. (This means more than updating a profile) Give to get. In other words, help others more than you promote yourself. Uncover the needs and wants of potential customers, clients, employers and develop a campaign to reach them. Follow great thinkers within potential companies. Build a tribe! Partner with organizations and people who believe in you and will help distribute your message. Systematically and purposefully grow your network with people who can help. Ask for advice and help! Be authentic but dont be vulgar. If you consider yourself a business of one, these actions should make sense. If, however, you consider yourself merely an employee looking for a job, well, youll be at this a long time.