Best social network for HR pros?
Recently I solicited feedback from IPMA-HR members about using social networking to connect with colleagues. I posted inquiries on the IPMA-HR Facebook page, Twitter, and Linked In’s IPMA-HR Group. I also asked the membership at an AZ IPMA-HR Chapter meeting for input.
To my surprise, we received no response to the Twitter inquiry and no answer to the Facebook posting. We did, however, receive four immediate responses to the LinkedIn inquiry. Some of the respondents described an aversion to using Facebook or MySpace, but LinkedIn seemed to have an appropriate appeal.
It appears that the most popular social networking tool for professionals is LinkedIn. It allows for a dialogue about current issues and allows members to share resources and ideas. The Groups functions works much like IPMA-HR’s Listserv, where members can post a question or request and other members can respond. While Facebook also has this function, it appears that LinkedIn is the professional’s preference.
We have a great opportunity to share and network via social networking tools. Are you LinkedIn?
I think the different social networks are used for different purposes. Facebook is primarily a personal relationship management tool; I don’t think it’s served particularly well as a way for professionals to connect–yet. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is great for exactly that–although once your contacts reach a certain level the amount of information is practically unmanageable.
As far as Twitter, I just don’t think the public sector has caught on (or bought off) yet.
I agree with you that the LinkedIn has a much more professional approach and I have been amazed at the connections I have seen and have only been connected for almost a month. I think some “social” networks have negative connotations that professionals are afraid of putting out there for others to see and perhaps be edited without their knowledge.
I heard a news story the other day that a town in one state had a policy to ask for all social network access identification information from all applicants. I would imagine that will be shot down from the PR perspective or the courts but it does speak to the degree agencies and companies are going to find out about applicants. One other alternative was to have applicants make the “entity” a “friend” so they could access information. Google is almost old news!!!
I recently joined my alumni association and they have a huge connection for graduates which can sort by key words, names, addresses, etc. I found many HR professionals, who are also fellow graduates, that I would never have known. These connections are cropping up all over the place and some sites also offer “jobs available” in their member’s agencies. This is how jobs are getting posted. I just did not know where to go. Some university sites allow posting jobs from their graduate’s company in anticipation that other graduates from the same university will see the listings and there will be this instant bond among the graduates, whether hiring authority or applicant.
Students may know how to use these networks (I do not believe a some find it necessary) but I think we all have a lot to learn about the new era in communications as it relates to job postings, networking, and finding new options. It truly is amazing.
re: town that had policy to ask for social networking PWs: that was the city of Bozeman, MT. I posted about it here: http://hrtests.blogspot.com/2009/06/turn-off-qualified-applicants-in-one.html
You point out something really important, which is the big social networks aren’t the only ones. Sometimes the “niche” sites (e.g., alumni groups) are more powerful–again, depending on the reason you want to use them.
I totally agree with the previous 3 comments – I’ve been experimenting with the 3 social networks for the purposes of professional connections and networking, most specifically my run for IPMA-HR President-Elect. LinkedIn is definitely the more professional feeling and looking of them and seems most easy to use and navigate. Facebook by far is too personal – last night I had to hide one of my contacts as his pictures and survey were, let’s say, not very professional. Its pretty difficult to mix in a work-related discussion into that! And Twitter I’m not having any luck with.