No doubt we’ve heard it over and over again… social media/networking is overtaking the world and just about every aspect of life, including job searching and career management. So, with this common truth, what’s the latest?
According to an AIRS Sourcing Report dated February 2010, you may be amazed at the prevalence permeating (I have never used those two words together in my life so if it makes no sense, get over it) the social media network. For example:
2010 Social Media Stats Review:
* Facebook has been in business 6 years (last month), and now has 400,000,000 members
* 50% of Facebook users log on daily (are you one of them—hmm, if 50% log on daily, that means 200,000,000 users log on daily—this is for the match challenged out there)
* 65 million Facebook users access the site with mobile devices (still a respectful number by any stretch)
* LinkedIn has 11 million users across Europe
* India is the fastest growing country using LinkedIn, with more than 3 million users
* LinkedIn is offered in 4 different languages, while Facebook is offered in 70 languages
* Twitter now has 75 million profiles
* In December 2009, 17% of Twitter users tweeted, equating to roughly 10 to15 million users joining the conversation
Enough of the numbers and what does it mean to you? First of all, for those not venturing into the social media world, you are at a disadvantage as professional exposure can be an added value when searching for a job. Unfortunately, there may be price to pay if you are tangled into the electronic social network. For example, once an entry is written and published or an image is posted, there is no turning back. For those hitting Spring Break hard and fast, beware your behavior may be recorded for the world to see… and as the trend continues, the world WILL see.
While on an off-beat strum, if you’re looking for a site to show off your creative side, one of my former college students developed “A Community for All Artists” and is located at http://artists-square.com. I encourage you to check it out. Okay, getting back on track…
. and bringing me to another point, employers ARE searching potential candidates on the Internet. I’ll go ahead and make my position clear: error in the way of conservative caution and DO NOT post, publish, or take pictures your parents (or potential employer) would not be proud of. Just think about Phelps and the stir he created due to posted pictures.
With millions searching, seizing, and spying, be careful,
Danny Huffman, MA, CEIP, CPRW, CPCC, author, educator, and co-owner of Career Services International/Education Career Services, www.educationcs.com. He may be reached directly at [email protected] or visit his Career Blog at www.educationcs.wordpress.com.
“prevalence permeating (I have never used those two words together in my life so if it makes no sense, get over it) the social media network.” LOL — This is one of the reasons (among many) I love reading your posts. Your words flow so natural. You are just you!! There are many writers out there that don’t realize reaching out to audience in words have to reach them and sometimes that’s harder. They have to know you as a person. You are truly one who has a lot of knowledge to share, while expressing your individuality. With that said…
I agree with you on your thoughts of the social media. It is so important that you are careful with what you post. Although, in my site I have expressed a lot of written real-life and adult poetry, there are sections on the site that call for it. As a writer, living and exposing certain things in your real life are different than creating them as “written work”.—–In any case, remember you will not make everyone happy, but at the same time, stay away from the daggars. lol
Racquel Cruz
http://artists-square.com
Artist’s Square
~A Place Where Artists Go~
I have recently attended a virtual job fair for the Intelligent Community (FBI, CIA, NSA, and others). I was a bit surprised that during registration they asked to provide user IDs for all the social networking sites mention here. Why? I think this report has the answer.
There have been people who were terminated because they posted derogatory comments about their companies (or management) on these sites. Why? “They reserve the right to ……”
Thank you for this friendly reminder to remove my scandalous pictures! Truly one must beware of the seemingly omnipotent intelligence social networking perpetuates. …
I must say, Mr. Huffman, your posts keep me incessantly titillated on an intellectual level. Thank you for gracing the pages of WON with your brilliance.
Scarlet,
Candidates need to be careful on all fronts. While a college instructor, I warned my students of the consequence of going wild or being anything less than professional. Unfortunately everyone will get caught up in writing (or picture) something less than ideal.
Social networking is a great tool but can also be painful for one’s career. My advice is to be careful—once something is posted, it can not be un-posted.
on facebook, it is a good idea to mark your profile as private. i have too many posts and pictures that i dont want a potential employer to find….thanks for the reminder… maybe i should just change my name!