This class is becoming more useful by the day. I was reading the main headlines on aol and found the article of how job searching is quickly changing from simple resumes. In this article they talk about how post recession job seekers are better off with a linkedin and possible Blog. I think most people know about Linkedin and if you don't I would create one, but I wasn't completely aware until this class and reading this site that employers also take in to account your blog. Networking is also a large emphasis in this article and although facebook is the largest networking social media site, Linkedin is the networking site that associates jobs and backrounds and a lot less personal traits. Check it out.
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/01/31/6-ways-the-job-search-has-changed-post-recession/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl17%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D132260
I'm not sure how I feel about companies using social media to screen for jobs...I think it's useful to check out Facebook so they know what type of person the applicant really is (what they do in their spare time, their attitudes and communication toward others), but to totally shift to looking at Facebook and LinkedIn?
ReplyDeleteApplicants put a lot of effort into perfecting their resume and tailoring their cover letter, so I think it says a lot about one's work ethic to be able to produce a great presentation on paper. It shows the employer that they can reach a goal through focusing on a task--and that they can write well. And it's like creating an effective ePitch: the applicant has to decide what's important and what isn't, which is also beneficial for employers to see.
Maybe I'm just uncomfortable with the social media-focused hiring approach because it is new, but it just seems so artificial to me. But if employers are going to do this, they should at least spare us the pain-staking work of writing a cover letter!
I agree a lot with Jill. I think that today employers put too much emphasis on looking at social media sites to learn about a person. Although I can see the benefits to it, I think they rely on it more than they should.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought I had was, where is the line drawn between what you do in your free time and what you do in the workplace? Granted, I understand the obvious parts to this questions, but I feel like in today's day and age there is no line anymore. Everything that we do has the ability to get back to our employers and a part of me feels that it is taking away from our freedom to do what we want outside of the workplace. Things are getting too connected.
I feel for the idea that work and play should stay separate. I do acknowledge that you are a representative of your company when you are not at work but you favorite activities should not cause a bias when you are being screened. A resume and interview are a perfect way to level out the playing field for all. Personally i am not very into constantly posting my views online and what i do everyday. If someone would like to learn more about what i enjoy i would love to have a conversation in public. the internet leads to alot of hiding behind a computer screen, the way people act on the internet is vastly different from real life. I feel that references from other people should be taken into greater acount when applying for a job.
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