Why do people use career-oriented social networking sites?

Question

There are many social networking sites in the market which allow you to keep up to date with the education and careers of your friends and contacts.

In your experience, why do you or others use these sites?

Answer 1

To me, as much to the people I know of, career-oriented social networking sites have ushered better work opportunities, multi-perspective understanding and like-minded friends.

Professional contacts have always been instrumental in bringing career growth prospectives. If I or any of my friends feel confident about anybody else's professional capabilities, we recommend job openings in companies we know of. Also, such sites promote awareness of the courses that can help us perform better in our jobs.

Each one of us knows a little more about certain subject than everybody else, and it is this difference that can help us access the complete picture of perception. This is what I mean when I mention "multi-perspective" understanding.

And one of my close friends is somebody who does not even live in the country where I do. I got to know her through one social networking site, and we have visited each other once with our families across disparate continents.

Answer 2

I think that social networking sites encourage the right behavior - using your personal network to learn new things. Career oriented sites work in much the same way, however, the networks built through these may prove even more beneficial in the long run.

These sites are really good for shy types who really are interested in learning more about an industry or job.

Answer 3

Perhaps everyone uses a social network sometime. Some people do social networking as a hobby, to keep in touch, or just to make friends. There are many different social networking sites for different things. YouTube for videos, Bebo for profiles, and MySpace for friends. There are many different reason to join social networking sites. Some people may consider Yahoo and social networking site since you can talk to friends online and have a profile.

Answer 4

Because a lot of people feel like social sites that aren't career oriented are too trashy with irrelevant or fake stuff. That's the reason some people choose facebook over myspace. I prefer myspace because of it's emphasis on music which I'm interested in and prefer my career networking via email or in person.

Answer 5

I think people use the sites because they hope/believe that it will benefit there career. I think the better question would be...

"How have career oriented social networking sites furthered your career or improved your life?"

Actually, I think I will ask that question here on Yahoo Answers. Feel free to look for it.

Answer 6

What specifically is a career orientated SN site?

I lurk in various SN sites largely hoping that they will actually become useful.

Each seems to offer various combinations of SN activities from jobs(careers?), contracts, Q&A, social events, to sex.

None do it well.

Most do not maintain their focus and loose track.

Currently, many have too few members to be anyway useful

Things I look for are;
jobs,
contracts,
maintaining contacts,
following moves,
techical assistance,
mentoring,
chances to expand network (none off this really)

Answer 7

Well it's the old adage - it's not what you know, it's who you know. If you see a job advertised and happen to know someone who works in the company then you're not just another face in the crowd.
My social networking contacts include people who I used to know that are now living all over the world. Just think of the possibilities that this opens up. You wouldn't normally talk to them but just keeping in touch that little bit via the good old world wide web means you never know when they could come in handy.

I'd be happy to help an old friend who was looking for work if I was able to and knew they were trustworthy.

Answer 8

A network of folks all have something in common: careers. Many are experienced former execs, doctors, nurses and lay-people. A career-minded network is kinda like living on campus while going to college: it enhances the academic environment resulting in a more focused and prepared job seeker. These groups usually meet and may have employers visit for discussions.

Answer 9

Well it's the old adage - it's not what you know, it's who you know. If you see a job advertised and happen to know someone who works in the company then you're not just another face in the crowd.
My social networking contacts include people who I used to know that are now living all over the world. Just think of the possibilities that this opens up. You wouldn't normally talk to them but just keeping in touch that little bit via the good old world wide web means you never know when they could come in handy.

I'd be happy to help an old friend who was looking for work if I was able to and knew they were trustworthy.

Answer 10

Its not what you know, its who you know. Almost every job I have had I have got from friends referring me to the role. I have been on seek for 6 years, and found only one job from it, of which I left after one week. Career orientated social networking sites lets me keep in touch with people that I would normally only see once per year, hence making iit even easier to keep myself in the workforce.