New college graduates are embracing social media as a job search tool, according to a new study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Grads Use Social Media for Networking and Researching Employers
Approximately 41 percent of 2012 college graduates in the market for a job are using social media to help them land one, according to NACE’s 2012 Student Survey. Students are most likely to use social media in the job search to network with employers, according to survey results. However, the survey also found that students are nearly as likely to use social media as a means for researching employers—and this use is gaining in popularity.
“Nearly one-quarter of 2012 graduates using social media identified it as a research tool, up from 17 percent just a year ago, and up from 15 percent among 2010 graduates,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. According to Mackes, “Students are using it to seek out salary and compensation information, job descriptions, and information about the employer’s training and development programs.”
Social media as a job-search tool has gained traction since NACE began tracking its use in 2008. In fact, just 7 percent of the Class of 2008 reported interacting with an employer through social media, and more than half said they didn’t even notice employer ads on social networking sites. Today, data show this has changed significantly.
“Unlike students four years ago who were unclear about the use of social media in the job search, today’s students see it a viable tool to gather employer information,” says Mackes. The current study also found that responding seniors using social media in their job search are most likely to use Facebook and LinkedIn.
About the 2012 Student Survey: Each year, NACE surveys college students on career-, employment-, and job-search related issues. NACE’s 2012 Student Survey was conducted mid-January through April 30, 2012. Nearly 48,000 college students nationwide, including 15,715 seniors at the bachelor’s degree level, took part in the survey. A report based on results from graduating seniors will be available this summer.
About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates.
This is awesome to see, especially because I work as the the employee brand marketer for a software company called Vocus. I was hired to build and establish presence for the company as an employer within social media to get in front of job seekers like these! We also added a blog to our careers site to offer advice to recent grads and their fellow job seekers. Last summer, we posted these tips to help them out with hunting online while maintaining their personal brand. If you know anyone who recently graduated, refer them to this post: http://www.whyworkatvocus.com/careers/job-search-tips-for-recent-grads/
I am just starting to study how to use social media as a job search tool, but it is also a way for employers to find you. Now a days it is super important to be careful of what you post of your twitter or facebook page, because you never know who is looking at those posts. One bad post could be the difference between landing or losing consideration from your dream job. It’s crazy to think that your media image can determine your future.
Employers are not the only ones using social media to their advantage. Those graduating from college now are so up on how to use these tools that it should give them a distinct advantage in the job search.
Yes, social media is a wonderful way to the recent grads to look for a job and research the potential employer. Hopefully they will not forget that the company they apply with may look at the applicants social media activity as well.
It’s absolutely amazing how far social media has progressed in just 4 years. Social media and career search are actually a perfect marriage. Employers are able to reach thousands of potential hires for very little cost. Recent grads and college students about to graduate are able to quickly learn a great deal about an organization, including it’s online culture. LinkedIn, in particular, is a great place for professional networking. And many employers look quite favorably toward hiring applicants from their alma mater.
I graduated in 1998 from highschool and I didn’t know anything about the interenet, let alone using it to search for jobs. These kids nowadays have an entirely different experience than I had only 14 years ago!
It follows that by the time my children graduate college and are looking for full time gainful employment, most of the above statistics will have doubled.
And for guys like me looking for freelance assignments, it will be even harder to find long term work this way.
Good thing I have my own company
Using the Internet and especially social media is a very good way to learn about the companies you want to work for. So it is no surprise that so many college grads are using it. In fact I am surprised more are not taking advantage of social media in their job search.
One should never apply for a job or go to an interview without knowing as much as you can about the company you wish to work for, especially if you actually want the job.