Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

According to Wall Street Journal:”more companies are trying to tap Facebook Inc.'s 750-million-plus user base to find new employees…” As a student seeking employment, I don’t approve really approve of the decision to use such a publicized site to go seeking for employees. I have what I like to call my “job face,” and my “at home face.” When I’m on the job and working I’m always serious, and in-the-zone, so to speak. When I’m at home I am free to express myself freely without having to jeopardize my job and my future. I do not use Facebook when I’m on the job. I don’t expect them to use it just as they expect me not to.

 “CEO Jeff Weiner said users tell the company they want to keep their personal and professional networks separate.” If companies insist upon using Facebook to seek out employees then Facebook should comply with them. There should be an application of some sort made in order to create an entirely different account where we could place our “professional” selves. This assessment will allow employers their “easy-access” job seeking, and posting, and allow for the employees to post their “job faces” separately from their “at home faces.” It could be called “Careerbook,” or “JobFace,” in all seriousness.

In any case I believe the web is too heavily relied on. Personally if I was running a business I would much rather speak to an employee in person than rely on information that could easily be forged. It’s easier to read a person’s emotions and work efficiency if he’s right in front of me. If employers are looking to Facebook and other online sources to find employees then their efforts are becoming lazy. A good professional telephone call, or a prepared walk in would much more impress me than an e-mailed resume that could have been forged on “easyresumebuilding.com”

It is in the best interest of both parties for this matter to be thoroughly discussed. As a speaker for the employees I suggest and demand for employers to respect and approve of the separation of personal and professional lives, as well as the sanctity of person-to-person socializing.