Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Who You Know, Who Do They Know, And How Will You Be Perceived?

We are in the early stages of the Social Networking revolution. It may seem that this revolution started recently with sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. In fact, the revolution started initially in the dotcom era with dating sites (match.com, yahoo personals…) and reconnection sites (classmates.com, Ancestry.com…). These sites, all of which I have used in the past, laid the foundation for the Social Networking revolution we are experiencing today.


It simple to join any Social Network and many times “free.” It seems like all you need to do is add the required information and you are part of the network. Do not be deceived by the simplicity; there is much more thought that needs to go into what you say and what you add to your Social Networks.

Many people see Social Networking as another fad that will fall apart over time or something they do not need to understand because it will not affect the way they do business or even a big waste of time. Wrong! In 2008, 22% of employers used Social Networking to do background checks. By 2010, the projection is over 55% will be using Social networking for background checks. I believe that the estimate is conservative.


From the perspective of a job searcher, Social Networks make it easier for potential employees to research companies and potential bosses. Reading the recommendations or lack thereof tells you a lot about a person and gives you “interesting” information on their management style or lack thereof. You do not know who your friend’s friend’s friend is and what they do. If you are looking for a job, it is imperative that you utilize Social Networking, both in person and on the web. Your competition, for any posted job is already using both methods. Additionally, there are techniques to use Social Networking to project where a new job might be.


When I received the email request to do a guest blog for GABA, I was both honored and wondered who was making this request. As a Social Networking expert, I like to know as much as I can about the person I am talking with. I immediately looked up the GABA project manager on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and Xing. It turns out that she is a third-degree connection on LinkedIn and I have 11 connections that are connected to someone who knows her. If I wanted, I could have requested an introduction through LinkedIn or called one of my 11 connections to see if they knew her directly and requested a "warm" introduction. My experience is many people do not convert their second- and third-degree connections to first-degree connections.


I look forward to discussing how “Social Networking - Increases Your Personal & HR Opportunities!” on September 10, 2009 with you. If you are attending, please take quick the on-line survey (10 minutes). GABA will send you the link after you register. Thanks, I look forward to talking with you at the workshop.


Best regards,

Tim Bailey aka TimBaileyGR


http://www.linkedin.com/in/TimBaileyGR

http://www.facebook.com/timbaileyGR

http://twitter.com/TimBaileyGR

PS –

Alliance-Strategies policy is to link with only people we know professionally on both LinkedIn and Xing. As for Facebook and Twitter, these are wide open.

1 comment:

  1. Interesting perspective. My view on Social Media is very much in the Marketing arena. And there it has not only opened up a whole new channel, but also significantly changed the dynamics of how Marketing is done. It is not about broadcasting your message via ads, web sites, brochures, eMail blasts, any more. It is about participating and influencing the various relevant communities in your marketspace. Marketing power is not determined through big budgets any more, but through acceptance and trust in communities.
    Thought I had to add this!

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