A recent survey aimed at enabling people to do a better job of connecting with each other reveals how different age groups view social or career networking.
The survey was conducted by US career and social media expert Tim Tyrell-Smith, and participants were former or current hiring managers – those who are most highly targeted by job seekers.
Key research results
- The best way to get in touch with someone for the first time is via email or LinkedIn, showing that the majority of participants prefer a passive approach that allows a certain amount of personal screening. This is followed by phone contact. Other social media approaches (Facebook, Skype, Twitter, MySpace) are not welcomed as a method of first contact by most participants.
- People are least comfortable networking via what they view as socially scary methods: “phone”, “in person group” and “online” are the least favourite ways to network, perhaps because they require people to perform. More controllable and “socially safer” interactions like “email” and “in person one-on-one” are viewed as more comfortable.
- When networking, almost everyone completing the survey chose to talk about “how we can help each other”, reflecting the true purpose of networking. This was followed by “job search strategy”, “career objectives”, “making connections” and “new social media tools”. At the bottom of the list was “politics”, “music, books and movies” and “hobbies”.
- Participants between 38 and 47 are least likely to be open networkers with 77,4% saying they would not connect with just anyone. Interestingly, those most likely to be open networkers are 18 to 27 (80%) and 58+ (52,4%).
