archaeologyfieldwork.com - social media networking and the job hunt

Topic ID #7804 - posted 6/9/2010 2:10 AM

social media networking and the job hunt

Jennifer Palmer

Webmaster

I'm curious about the impact that social media websites may have had in your efforts to find employment opportunities. How many folks here have active accounts on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn? Have you found any jobs through friends on these sites? I was surprised at how many people are on FB. In the past year or so that I've had an active account, it seems that I've friended or been friended by a large number of former co-workers as well as former classmates. As I posted in another message here, from time to time my friends on FB pass the word on about openings at their companies. I just recently signed up for a LinkedIn account but it doesn't seem to be nearly as active.

I'm finally beginning to explore the option of going back to work after being at stay at home mom for the past 3+ years. In my case, I think it's going to be a little tricky to find the right opportunity since my options are now severely limited to something reasonably local that pays enough to justify having two little ones in daycare.

Jennifer

Post ID#17761 - replied 6/10/2010 5:40 PM

Dwarmour

Daycare is EXPENSIVE. I am in the same boat trying to cherry pick locally but there isn't anything going on around here that would justify it. I found a flexible part-time job with hopes of crm work on the side till I go to school in the fall but it looks like all of the projects fell through for the season.

Post ID#17764 - replied 6/10/2010 7:36 PM

diginit

I too have avoided creating social network profiles because I saw them as unprofessional (ahem...lazy) and I have seen so many people essentially lose the ability to communicate in any other way.

I was always told that potential employers would be able to find dirt on you through FaceBook, but now it seems that I may have to jump in to swim.

Daycare is EXPENSIVE.

My wife and I decided that one of us would have to stay home full time because we just couldn't justify paying someone else to spend time with our child.

Post ID#17765 - replied 6/11/2010 2:27 AM

Jennifer Palmer

Webmaster

I believe, to some extent, we are losing some of those interpersonal communications skills with the reliance upon technology. One only has to watch two teenagers sitting in a room texting to one another for an example.

It seems out of the ordinary for someone to not have a Facebook account. In my case, I finally put up a profile after much cajoling from friends. And now, unfortunately, I probably spend too much time on the site. I do avoid the apps though, and find that one of the positives is being able to keep in touch with folks that I honestly probably wouldn't do otherwise. Being careful about what information you put on the site is a valid concern, not only for a potential employer but because it's the big bad internet in general.

I consider myself quite lucky to have been a stay at home mom for as long as I have been, though I'm not sure how long it can continue.

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