Has LinkedIn Actually Helped You Land That Perfect Job?
Nov
17
Written by:
2011/11/17 08:49 AM
The social network era or movement has made many promises over the years. Sites like LinkedIn have had great potential. But when it comes down to real world application, and fulfilling the needs of the man in the street, have sites like LinkedIn lived up to expectations?
LinkedIn is a social networking site that is aimed at professionals. It enables professionals and the like to network together. Ask questions, and give answers to those who are in the same field as you are.
It is also a place that many have written about saying that it is the ideal site to help in landing that perfect job.
The idea is that if you have worked hard on your LinkedIn networking. If you have received favourable recommendations. If you have participated in various questions and answers relating to your skills. Then when you need a job then LinkedIn is the perfect place to start.
Why? Well because it is believed that you have developed a relationship with those in your network. As a result direct referrals are much easier and more reliable.
But has this actually been the case?
In a survey done on a job site in South Africa, it would appear that this is not the case. In fact LinkedIn has not featured at all in the job hunting business.
The question was how did you find your job?
Job search website (like CareerJunction, PNet, etc)
| 8% |
Employment/Personnel Agency, Labour Broker
| 17% |
A newspaper job ad placed by the company
| 17% |
Via a referral from a friend/colleague/family member
| 51% |
Through you approaching the company directly
| 7% |
Via LinkedIn or Facebook or other social networks
| 0% |
So it would seem that Social networking sites have had little effect on job hunting. Although this was in no way a scientific survey, it does paint a bleak picture for the job seeker and the promised potential of these social networking sites.
It might be different in other parts of the world, you would have to correct me on this. But for South Africa, we still have to see the benefit of Social networks and jobs.
If you have had any success using social networks like LinkedIn to land that perfect job, please let us know about it.
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