Almost a quarter of South Africans who took part in a recent survey are turning to social networking when it comes to looking for jobs.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index survey included approximately 97 000 people from 30 different countries, including more than 1 000 South African respondents.
In SA specifically, the most active job-seekers on social media are in KwaZulu-Natal, where 29% use the platforms in their job searches. The Western Cape has 26% social job-seekers, while the Eastern Cape and Gauteng both have 23%.
“The use of social media in finding work is becoming more common, because it allows people to target exactly the job they want, and even the organisation where they want to work,” says Kelly Group sales and marketing director Tracey Czakan.
“Candidates and employers are becoming more adept in using this medium, which will see it grow and evolve as a means to find work and advance careers.”
But does it work?
According to the global survey results, 29% of respondents secured their most recent position through word-of-mouth referrals. Recruitment and staffing firms accounted for 26% of placements, with direct approaches from employers at 20%, print advertisements at 10%, online job postings at 8%, other methods at 5%, and social media sites at 1%.
The Kelly Group points out, however, that while a small percentage is actually securing their positions through social networking, 24% of respondents are scouring their social feeds such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter when looking for job openings and opportunities.
The survey was conducted from October 2010 through to January 2011, and also shed light on the flip-side of the increasing use of social media. According to the results, while social media is growing as an active employment tool, so too is apprehension about the potential damage a social media profile can have on a career.
More than a quarter of respondents admit to deliberately editing content on their social networking pages to avoid career problems.
Learning curve
“It's clear that social networking is changing the way that people seek out work and engage in conversations about work opportunities,” says Czakan.
“Like any new technology, people are learning that there are positives and negatives, and they need to be careful that they are tapping into the best elements of the Internet when their careers are involved.”
Other survey results for SA showed Facebook is the most popular social media site for both Generation Y (18-29 years) and Generation X (30-47 years) to seek work. The baby-boomers (48-65 years), however, still prefer blogs and other specialist sites.
Fifty percent of Generation Y respondents said it's essential to be active on social media in order to advance their careers, but only 39% of Generation X and 19% of baby-boomers feel the same way.
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