Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

Social media has wormed its way into pop culture and our lives, and has revolutionized many facets about how we interact not only with our friends, but with businesses and even with our government. What has been interesting is how many businesses are embracing the social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn. Many businesses are starting to use ambassadors, real life people who they train, to use their social networks to sing the praises of their products to their friends, as a way of reaching a larger audience.  This can easily backfire. “Others worry that brand ambassadors will be perceived as hucksters who promote products because they get free stuff—or, worse, as annoying evangelists best avoided.” (Link). Personally, I always take someone who praises one product or brand with a grain of salt.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Another popular use businesses use social networks for is hiring. With sites like Facebook, it is very easy to reach thousands, if not many more, potential people looking for jobs. “Candidates have been 50% more likely to apply to positions they found through Facebook than through other means, said Mr. Staney.”   (The Wall Street Journal – Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like.). By looking in specific groups within Facebook, employers can easily target potential employees and contact them. There is a downside to this though. According to Jeff Vijungco of Adobe Systems Inc. “..in focus groups, prospective job candidates were sharply averse to being contacted through Facebook for jobs.  (The Wall Street Journal – Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like). Many people might see this as an intrusion to their social or private lives and could potentially be turned off of that specific employer, both now and in the future.