fbpx

Social media transforming Kiwi recruitment

Growing numbers of Kiwis are using social media to share job opportunities and secure new work, according to a recent Kelly Workforce Index survey of more than 3500 Kiwis.

The survey showed 40 percent of New Zealanders had been contacted about a potential job opportunity via social media and 17 percent had used social networks to get a job.

Of the participants surveyed, 47 percent agreed that networking and social media sites were a good way to refer job opportunities to friends and colleagues; while almost two-thirds of respondents were interested in getting job referrals from friends or contacts in their social media networks.

“More and more New Zealanders are turning to social media to discuss their work and canvas job openings and career choices,” says Kelly’s general manager of commercial, Wendy Hewson. “For such a mobile population – particularly with people travelling for their OE – these social connections are making recruitment a lot easier by broadening the reach of their networks.”

And it’s not just younger people using social media to find out about jobs. Kelly says Generation Y users lead the way in finding and referring jobs at 18 percent, with Gen X and baby boomers only slightly behind on 16 percent each.

As these changes benefit job seekers, they’re also creating unique challenges for employers, the company says.

“Social media has given rise to an always-on workforce with a well-developed network that shares in a broad range of personal, professional and lifestyle conversations,” says Hewson. “The task of managing this phenomenon in the workplace is one that many employers are still coming to grips with.”

She adds staff expect to have technology at work, including personal electronic devices, that allow them to use social media to share with friends and colleagues.

Thirty-six percent of respondents rated the use of these devices important or very important and another 44 percent said being able to use company owned devices for personal use was a big influence on their decision making about employment. That 44 percent was higher than the global number of 37 percent and Australia’s figure of 40 percent.

Hewson says there is often ambiguity about whether employer-provided devices can be used for non-work purposes. “There is a strong view among respondents that employer-provided smart devices should be available for personal use. This reflects the growing trend of leveraging laptops, tablets and smartphones as perks of the job.”

About Author

Comments are closed.