Social networking it’s not just for posting pictures of that big night out, spying on ex partners & killing time at work. It can be a powerful resource for Employers and Jobseekers alike.
Retailworld’s NZ Managing Director Trish McLean was recently quoted in Gill South’s article “Linking up online - now it’s about business, not just pleasure” which highlights how social networking sites such as LinkedIn offer a way to build professional relationships and boost your brand (view the article at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/gill-south/news/article.cfm?a_id=288&objectid=10623030&pnum=0)
If you haven’t heard of LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com) it is a professional networking site with over 55 million users worldwide. Using LinkedIn you can create your professional identity online (including details of your career history), then connect with colleagues, past contacts and others in your industry. You can also join groups, start discussions and discover new connections, making it a great resource for jobseekers! LinkedIn users can let others in their network know when they are looking for a job and even ask their connections to write them a recommendation.
For Employers looking to hire LinkedIn is equally as useful as it allows them to post job vacancies as well as research potential employees. LinkedIn also allows companies to create profiles online - visit Retailworld’s at http://www.linkedin.com/companies/retailworld-resourcing—-australia
More and more companies are also trying to build their brands and reach customers and potential employees through Facebook fan pages and Twitter. If you are currently looking for a new job why not follow companies you would like to work for online - this will keep you up to date with activity in the company and give you a feel for the company culture. Become a fan of Retailworld on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/RetailworldResourcing) or follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Retailworld_AUS)
And finally a word of warning for Jobseekers - if a potential employer searched you online what could they find out? If you have photos, status updates or other info on social networking sites such as Facebook which is best kept personal be sure to set your security settings to private.
Retailworld Resourcing is a recruitment agency that specialises in the retail sector. We place people in retail jobs in New Zealand and retail jobs in Australia, throughout all areas and levels within the retail industry.