Posted By: Phil Rosenberg In: Networking Which is better for your job search, Facebook or LinkedIN?
The case for LinkedIN:
Which is better for your job search, Facebook or LinkedIN?
The case for LinkedIN:
Strengths:
LinkedIN allows you to build a massive network, and allows you to limited contact with any other user directly through its InMail feature
You see 3 degrees of separation
LinkedIN has a widget that allows you to superimpose your network over Monster and CareerBuilder ads – so you can reach line managers and bypass HR.
LinkedIN has a similar widget to superimpose mini profiles over Outlook emails
The LinkedIN Answers is a great way to find your audience, and participate in discussions
Weaknesses:
It’s tough to broadcast messages to groups in LinkedIN, or to make messages viral
Yahoo groups are stronger and more functional than LinkedIN groups
LinkedIN is built to acquire a network, more than for communicating with a network
Communication with LinkedIN contacts are best done through good old email, after initial LinkedIN introduction
LinkedIN doesn’t coordinate well with blogs, nor have customizable apps…but we are told these are coming soon
The case for FaceBook: Strengths:
FaceBook is built for better communication within FaceBook. It’s easy to stay in contact with your network without jumping to outside email apps
On Facebook, you can directly email anyone, even if you aren’t connected to them
FaceBook has thousands of customizable apps, allowing recommendations, 2nd degree of separation, CRM like features, business cards
FaceBook has customizable control to allow (or block) access to your information by group or individual (so you can block all your job search information from people within your company)
FaceBook has viral messaging features, which is great for spreading the word
FaceBook is excellent in blog integration, photo sharing and tagging, video sharing, and groups. Facebook integrates well with Flickr & YouTube
68 million members and growing…fast. It’s 3x the size of LinkedIN
Weaknesses:
FaceBook is over-sensitive to spam, to the point of being ridiculous. If you template introductions, your account gets flagged at about 10 intro emails per a day. However, if you send friend requests without a note, it’s not considered spam. Go figure…
FaceBook recommendations, questions/answers are still weak, due to low adoption rates
FaceBook still has a social atmosphere, which means you’ll have friends that send cutsey messages to all of their friends…3 times a day. But you can block this feature
FaceBook really only gives you 1 level of separation, you can get to a second level with heavy lifting through a FaceBook app
Others can send you pictures, or add pics to your photo album. This means you have to regularly manage your online reputation, especially your public profile and photo album.
Common to Both:
Both LinkedIN & Facebook have solid job boards
Both have a status feature that lets you broadcast one-line status texts, like a built in Twittr
Both have voice integration with Skype and Jaxtr
Both are great for catching up with old classmates, or co-workers from past lives.
Both have introduction features
Neither has an easy integration of multiple social networks, phone or email lists, or contact management. Everything has to be exported and manipulated in Outlook, so it’s very limited, time consuming, & tricky
Summary: Both are winners, and a winning strategy is to use both, because they each have their strengths in helping you build your network and subject matter expertise. I invite my contacts to both LinkedIN (www.linkedin.com/in/philrosenberg) and Facebook (http://profile.to/philrosenberg/) …feel free to invite me to your networks on both.
Is it true that people make mistakes and deserve another chance? If thats true, why is it that I'm being overlooked by emploters because I have a felony? I have experience, polite, hard working, and a preasure to be around (so I'm told :P) I am at the end of my rope because I'm not getting the opportunity to show my real skills because closed-minded employers are unable to get past the dreaded "F" word on my applications. I could omit it, but my honesty wont allow me. Instead I would rather put it all on the table and be hired on the things that really matter like my experience and ability to lead. I guess I'll just keep on trying until someone out there gives this man a chance. Thank for the sounding board. Until next time.....Isaac
Posted by: Galina Blanken
I really need help with professional networking. I have three degrees in the health care field, but NO JOB.
Posted by: Steve Drake
I have over 20 years in compliance and operational risk, and 35 years in banking and NO JOB. So it isn't uncommon today. Companies aren't looking at people who are not where the job is located, since relocation is no longer typically offered. And frankly, all the networking I've done on LinkedIn and other sites hasn't produced. People have their heads down right now protecting their own jobs.
Posted by: Laura Wallace
I thought I would have a better chance of employers seeing my career profile I posted on nesstaffing.com. After uploading my application, answering nearly 20 interview questions, designing a cover letter and placing reference information and other networking links on their site, it was all removed by the administrators, I guess of nesstaffing. I feel really bad about losing all of that information, especially when I logged in to upgrade my information for more exposure. I feel let down and suppose I will have to look elsewhere for networking possibilities. I wish the best for all of my fellow job seekers out there.
Posted by: Greg Papin On: 5/5/2009 11:30:25 AM
It seems to me that just finding a job is a bigger challenge now. Being capable, experienced and willing to be fully dedicated to a new employer doesn't seem to impress the HR folks. It amazes me that we as job seekers spend hours trying to create the perfect resume and the time devoted to reviewing it is just 10 to 15 seconds per resume. Best wishes to my fellow job seekers, I believe there is a job out there for everyone who wants to work. I think networking with friends and past co-workers is probably the most helpful way to go. Good luck to all.-Greg
Posted by: Shannon On: 5/16/2009 7:00:12 PM
Isaac:Do you know for sure that it is your felony that is causing you to be overlooked? It may depend on what your felony was for. You are entitled to ask the employer why they are denying you employment. Check with your local department of workforce development. They can help you out with that question. Good luck to you!
Posted by: vesselin kavalov On: 5/29/2009 2:22:18 PM
I wish more "info"s are like this - 1/2 page, right to the point, in 1 minute I can assess my situation with respect of the issue at hand, make a decision and take an action and be done with! In this particular case my action was NOT to take an action - I am not signing up for Facebook (despite the "peer pressure" ;) - the Cons far outweigh the so-called Pros (in my case). Thanx for the great job!
Posted by: Timika Adams On: 6/29/2009 9:57:25 AM
I'm a 25 year old woman; I was wrongfully terminated about a month ago. They told me that they would deny my unemployment and I wouldn't get it and that's just what happened. Now I'm about to lose my apt and everything I have worked for. Finding a job is so hard and I have had no luck. I don't know what I'm going to do.
