As the job industry changes and job seekers continue to discover alternate ways to find jobs, this number could double in the coming years. Everyone knows about LinkedIn and it’s professional focus. However the leader in terms of connecting job seekers with job opportunities is Facebook.
Of those unemployed, looking for work or open to new opportunities, 1 in 6 claimed that they found their latest job via a social network. According to a recent study by Jobvite of 22.1 million Americans, 78% attributed their current occupation to Facebook, 40% to LinkedIn and 42% to Twitter.
These findings continue to underscore the importance of social networks and the growing role they play in all areas of our lives including recruiting. Facebook has made changes to its platform to be more job seeker friendly. Web based apps such as BranchOut and it’s Social Jobs partnership have helped to propel Facebook as a formidable social network for those that are looking for work.
This same survey was conducted last year. At that time only 11 % of respondents reported that a social network impacted the job that they currently held.
March 14, 2012 at 9:32 PM
When you say “according to a recent study by Jobvite of 22.1 million Americans, 78% attributed their current occupation to Facebook, 40% to LinkedIn and 42% to Twitter,” how are you coming up with 22.1 million Americans?
The Jobvite study was based on a sample of 1,205 people.
May 7, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Absolutely right. 1 in 6 is anemic at best.