Guest Post: Facebook vs. LinkedIn

With the developments in communication from the last decade, the division between work and "normal life" is getting smaller and smaller.

Consider this: it appears that Facebook is beating LinkedIn at its own game.

More than 65 million visitors checked out career sites in June 2009. About 45% of HR professionals in the United States are using at least one social network to check on those leads.

A summer 2009 survey for CareerBuilder.com conducted by New York based research firm, Harris Interactive, indicates that 47% of U.S. HR professionals use Google to search for the names of their job candidates. 29% of U.S. HR professionals use Facebook and only 26% use LinkedIn to check on the job applications that they receive.

This is bad news for Linkedin because they claim to provide a service to benefit and advance their registered user’s career.

Conclusion: Job hunters should pay the same kind attention (if not more!) to their Facebook profile as to their LinkedIn profile.

Some additional resources on this topic:

* How HR Professionals Analyze your Facebook Profile

http://idaconcpts.com/2009/09/11/how-hr-professionals-analyze-your-facebook-profile/

* LinkedIn vs Facebook

http://idaconcpts.com/2009/12/31/linkedin-vs-facebook/

Cheers,

Damian

Great insight from everyone. Thanks for reading.

I agree that the line between personal and professional has been blurred -- I think Twitter was the catalyst there. And that's where I blend my personal and professional contacts.

For me, for the time being, I prefer to keep my Facebook profile restricted to family and friends.

I agree; except about the friend requests. Some of the games, for example Knighthood, are extremely fun but require you to have many friends. So I added hundreds of people I did not know. I made a few friends playing KH from all over the planet.

Thank you for the post about linkedin.

With the developments in communication from the last decade, the division between work and "normal life" is getting smaller and smaller.

Consider this: it appears that Facebook is beating LinkedIn at its own game.

More than 65 million visitors checked out career sites in June 2009. About 45% of HR professionals in the United States are using at least one social network to check on those leads.

A summer 2009 survey for CareerBuilder.com conducted by New York based research firm, Harris Interactive, indicates that 47% of U.S. HR professionals use Google to search for the names of their job candidates. 29% of U.S. HR professionals use Facebook and only 26% use LinkedIn to check on the job applications that they receive.

This is bad news for Linkedin because they claim to provide a service to benefit and advance their registered user’s career.

Conclusion: Job hunters should pay the same kind attention (if not more!) to their Facebook profile as to their LinkedIn profile.

Some additional resources on this topic:

* How HR Professionals Analyze your Facebook Profile

http://idaconcpts.com/2009/09/11/how-hr-professionals-analyze-your-facebook-profile/

* LinkedIn vs Facebook

http://idaconcpts.com/2009/12/31/linkedin-vs-facebook/

Cheers,

Damian

I must admit, I affirm all that has been said so far. I really appreciate the analogy referenced by Paul Chaney (I'll be sure to check out that book). That being said, it is not only the nature of the community on each network but the functionality of each network. I think it can be pointed out that Twitter and Facebook receive far more support in that arena than Linkedin. In fact, this morning following a breakfast where I had done some face-to-face networking I attempted to follow up with some Linkedin requests, as I'd already started passing some emails with one of those whom I'd connected with more closely. However, I was met with constant dis-functionality on behalf of Linkedin. It was quite frustrating, and I think it is quite possible that issues like this, and the poor marketing of Linkedin contribute to its lackluster following.

Thank you all.

You make a very valid point, Jonathan.

I use Facebook, and my personal profile page, the way you do. The concept of trust is key here. And I've utilized my friend base to help spread the word about various pages of interest. I would love to see Facebook find some other way for pages to get the word out, but again, the idea is to tap into the viral nature of the platform without being spammy.

You are right. I agree with you...in principle. The problem is the whole world is going the opposite direction and if you're not using facebook for networking you're going to be left out. I'm involved in community relations for a non-profit and, though facebook was the last social media arena that I jumped into, it has been the most valuable.
The fact is, when you "friend" someone on facebook, you begin to feel as if you know them, even though you may have never met. This can indeed be a little creepy, but it works both ways. There are dozens of local media, politicians and business people who now feel like they know me and trust me. Not only does it help me get my message out, but they are even turning to me now as a resource.
My organization's page is all business. But I use my personal profile to drive people there. After all, you can't "suggest" a page to someone unless you are "friends" with them first.
Lastly, I do agree with the last statement - linkedin is my business suit. It's almost like an online, interactive resume. It's a place I visit once or twice a week. My facebook is always open.