‘Who (Do) You Know’ in the Internet Age?

May 28, 2009 - PRLog -- TORONTO, ONTARIO – Amongst the increasing number of unemployed, many are lamenting that job-hunting is not what it once was. Job-hunters often find themselves rapidly losing heart amidst the complex array of social networking websites and job boards, wearily filling out one online profile after another. Yet, despite what may seem to be today’s new job-hunting ‘reality’, the statistics nonetheless suggest that how our generational predecessors obtained jobs in the pre-internet age has changed little today. In fact, 80% of all jobs still come through those we know or those whom they know. The old pre-internet aged reality of ‘who you know’ apparently still holds true.

Sure, no one would deny the value of online social networking tools in helping one to expand his or her social reach. But, networking by itself is nothing new, despite its modern high-tech face. In fact, it may be even more important, since (if the above stat is any indicator); one’s own social circle contains the greatest potential resource for finding new employment opportunities.

Yet, according to experts in the field, focusing exclusively on expanding one’s online circle does not necessarily translate into the kind of meaningful connections that will help one land a job...especially if he or she lacks the necessary strategic know-how to leverage them. Indeed, despite the bevy of online resources and advice aimed at expanding our networking reach, many job-hunters still lack correct, efficacious networking skills. And this (regardless of one’s impressive quantity of online friends) remains the key to the job-hunting problem.

According to the social network research and professional development firm Flowork International, one’s real friends (especially those of the non-online variety) are more likely to be the key to finding a job one seeks. Indeed, Flowork founder Dr. John-Paul Hatala suggests that many simply lack the basic skill of how to take advantage of the very resources found in their own network. If this is true, job-hunters are unfortunately consigned to working with that 20% remainder (see above-mentioned statistic), when on the job-hunt. Not exactly an uplifting prospect.

Moreover, Dr. Hatala cites that people usually fail to recognize the value of the people their friends may know.  That is to say, it is not merely whom you know but also whom they know. However, he also notes that the good news is that leveraging the value of the relationships contained in one’s real (and online) circle of friends is a teachable skill.

No one would doubt that hiding behind the computer screen is unlikely to successfully bridge the gap between job-hunter and prospective employer. In fact, spending hours online trying to solicit more ‘followers’ on your Twitter account may add little value to your networking circle, if you do not know how to develop the relationships themselves and avail yourself of their potential. The advent of online social networking is by no means a drawback, however, and expanding your social circle via the internet cannot hurt. The key, however, is learning how to correctly reach out to those you know to find out whom they know…

It would seem that the ‘old’ reality of who you know remains just as relevant in today’s job market than ever before, regardless of whether you know someone in person…or online.

To find out more information about Flowork, its training programs, or research, feel free to email Dr. Hatala directly at jphatala@flowork.com.

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Flowork International, L.L.C., is a social network research and professional development organization, based out of Toronto. It offers comprehensive training programs to: organizations of all sizes and demographics; employment counsellors; agencies; recruiters; governments; and job seekers alike.