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Contrary to popular opinion jobseekers are unlikely to switch to digital networking as part of their job search strategy.

 

A recent poll asked by Only Marketing Jobs and promoted by job-review platform, Judge the Job, asked whether by 2011 jobseekers would be using social media as their main job search resource.  The response is intriguing.

The findings appear to defy claims from industry thought-leaders who believe traditional recruitment practices are dead and job board use is in decline.  Respondents noted that whilst social media channels such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are being used to search and apply for jobs, an integrated strategy will return more tangible results.

 

 

Here are some of the responses:

Absolutely! Look at how fast the number of users have doubled & tripled in just months with YOUTUBE & Twitter. The Professionals will still be on LinkedIn and Face Book will still offer the personal touch of getting to know those met on other sites.  Elizabeth White-Peters

Social media allows us all to network with, communicate with and get worldwide business exposure from folks from all over the planet, without spending any money whatsoever, with the exception of the time and energy needed to be successful with it.  Used correctly, social media allows us all to acquire new clients who would never find us otherwise.  By 2011, social media will be as normal as everyone having a cell phone or a traditional website.  Dave Maskin

Disagree – why would you limit your search to those in your network – it will continue to be a valuable resource and grow in usefulness, but it’s both too diverse and disparate and too limiting at the same time – full of information of all sorts, but limited in who you easily reach.
For something like job searching dedicated facilities will remain the effective way.  Bernard Gore

I absolutely agree. Earlier this morning a read an article in a local online newspaper entitled "LinkedIn is the new CV". Social media has come to stay. Both candidates and employers are really keen on social media since it allows an efficient, accessible and amiable environment for recruiting.
I have no doubt that we´ll see some more of social media regarding talent management in the near future!  Agostina Verni

Disagree. While social media is gaining momentum, there are still far too many people in the overall workforce that do not use social media at all, let alone understand how to capitalize on it from the standpoint of their job search, to see this type of paradigm shift in such a short period of time.  Bob Waldo

Maybe the time horizon will stretch a bit farther out as 2011 is only 9 months away. Still, don’t let the baby flush away with the bathwater. Social media is here to stay. LinkedIn is not only our 21st century Google for professionals, it is also their marketplace and their forum. Furthermore, HR professionals worldwide are stepping into the LinkedIn and act faster than they let on.  Make sure your LinkedIn profile is worth finding!  Jorge Vilches

 

What are your thoughts on this subject?  Will social media dominate the jobseeker strategy or is it simply a part of the mix?  Do you think social media can ever replace traditional models such as recruitment agencies and job boards?

 

Simon Lewis | Editor | Only Marketing Jobs

 

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