Do I Have To Be A Part of Social Networking To Be Hired?

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Social networking is a major part of our world at this point. Everyone that I know is a member of facebook, twitter, linkedin, Google+, and/or tumblr. I'm not. I'm not a member of any social networking site with the exception of this one.

I've heard some people say that if you want to get hired, you need to be a part of a social networking site like linkedin. My desire to be a part of these sites is close to 0. I've worked too hard to get off of these social networking to get back on at this point.

But is it true? Is it necessary that in order to get a job that it's essential to be a part of social networking?

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

No, no, no. I don't do social networking. Nothing but trouble. Network via face to face meetings, it's better.

[FlorenceNtheMachine]

I agree! Online social networking has never gotten me a lead on a job. Face to face networking is a lot more productive.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I get several job leads a month through LinkedIn. Not all of them are the best fit for my qualifications--I think some recruiters and agencies just see "experienced nurse" and throw stuff at me without looking at my speciality areas. But I also get a fair amount of leads that are in my specialties.

That being said, you do not have to be on a social networking site to be hired. I got my primary job the old-fashioned way: applied on their website, with no social networking involved.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thanks guys.

I can't see myself getting back into social networking. It drains me and I find myself having less desire to publish my entire life online (even though I love being relaxed and open and sharing myself with others). So when I hear or read that it's recommend that you join sites like Linkedin for a job, I just feel exhausted and unwilling to go for that. I rather do the face to face way and network in person that just looking at a social networking site. It would be flattering, I'm sure, to just get a job offer that way, but I'm not of the right heart for it.

[LADYVENGEANCE1]

IMO face to face interactiong is invaluable. I'm also like you I don't like publishing my entire life online. I do have a FB account but is mostly to see pics of family but I don't update my status , nor add pictues.

I had an account of Linkedin but didn't care for it .

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

In this modern world, it's good to have a little bit of an online presence such that when potential employers Google you, there is something there that looks neutral-to-good (with nothing too personal or controversial in any way). LinkedIn is very useful for that. I did get contacted by a recruiter via LinkedIn, so it is useful for that too.

The old-fashioned kind of social networking, where you actually know people and are nice to people, is by far the best way, in my experience. (you know, like when you overhear someone at a party saying "I love being a ___ and I'm looking for a job" and you know them well enough that you know they are a good person and then you can recommend them for a job at your place of employment and they actually get the job, stuff like that).

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

In this modern world, it's good to have a little bit of an online presence such that when potential employers Google you, there is something there that looks neutral-to-good (with nothing too personal or controversial in any way). LinkedIn is very useful for that. I did get contacted by a recruiter via LinkedIn, so it is useful for that too.

My hope is that my employers won't google me. But if they do, they won't find anything except my old high school behavior (which is pretty good!) LOL

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Call up every hosplital by you, every nursing home and ask when they might be having a job fair. That will open the lines of communication and they may ask you to come in for an interview. Cold call Dr offices and any other place you can think of. How about applying at blood donor centers. Good luck with your job search.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Call up every hosplital by you, every nursing home and ask when they might be having a job fair. That will open the lines of communication and they may ask you to come in for an interview. Cold call Dr offices and any other place you can think of. How about applying at blood donor centers. Good luck with your job search.

I've been looking, at this point, at certain hospitals that really stand out to me for what I desire. I haven't even gotten a license yet but I want to put my name out there because I feel this will reduce the amount of time spent unemployed. But we'll see...there's a career fair coming up right now and I'll certainly be there.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

My hope is that my employers won't google me. But if they do, they won't find anything except my old high school behavior (which is pretty good!) LOL

They will. The vast majority of potential employers Google their applications as well as search for them on social networking sites. Your lack of presence there is not going to hurt you... for many people, quite the opposite is true... what they post on facebook prevents them from being hired.

[LindaBright, MSN]

No, I don't think social networking is a "must do" scenario for nurses. I'm sure it can't hurt, but, there is nothing like the face-to-face aspect of networking (or voice-to-voice, if you're a phone person!). Besides, there are many cases where social networking has become a detriment to a person looking for a job, simply because it can be easy for a potential employer to form an opinion of you based on any public profiles you may have. All things in moderation, with common sense.

However, social networking isn't the worst idea, either. You can learn about new job opportunities, job fairs, and even engage others in conversations that could lead to jobs. Look at us here, for example. There are several people I've contacted with questions that have either helped me, or I've passed the advice to someone looking for a job in a particular specialty. It goes both ways :)