Person-to-person Networking Still Lands Most Jobs

But Job Boards, Online Networking Gain Ground Person-to-person networking continues to be job seekers’ most successful tool, according to a study by Right Management. The firm analyzed job data on the nearly 60,000 individuals throughout North America to whom it provided career transition services over the past three years. Traditional […]

But Job Boards, Online Networking Gain Ground

Person-to-person networking continues to be job seekers’ most successful tool, according to a study by Right Management. The firm analyzed job data on the nearly 60,000 individuals throughout North America to whom it provided career transition services over the past three years. Traditional networking was the source of new career opportunities for 41% of job candidates last year, while Internet job boards accounted for 25% of new positions landed.

Source of New Job
(59,133 job seekers)

2010

2009

2008

Networking41%45%41%
Internet Job Board25%19%19%
Agency/Search firm11%9%11%
Direct Approach8%8%8%
Online Network (2010)4%nana
Advertisement2%7%7%
Other10%12%14%


“The job search is changing and some approaches are losing ground to others, but classic, systematic networking continues to be most effective way to find suitable employment,” said Carly McVey, Right Management’s Vice President of Career Management. “Certainly technology plays a growing role. But online social networking may not always be separate from traditional networking since one so often leads to the other. A job seeker uses the Internet to track down former associates or acquaintances and then reaches out to them in person. And, just like a cold call, the Internet is a way to make an initial contact with a prospective employer.”

Among other findings:

  • In 2010 for the first time “Online Network” was made a separate category and cited by 4% of the successful job candidates.
  • The “Direct Approach” or cold calling is holding its own as an effective tool for many job seekers.
  • Newspaper or periodical classified ads continue their decline as a source of new employment while Internet job postings play an increasing role.
  • Agencies, recruiters and search firms may be regaining their place in the mix, perhaps as a result of a strengthening job market.
  • “Other” may mean some combination of the above, or perhaps serendipity, direct referral or even good luck…and will surely remain an aspect of a successful job hunt.

As revealing as the data may be, a job search is usually a more complicated and multi-layered process, explained McVey. “Job candidates are encouraged to use as many tools as possible, every kind of research, any former contacts, and every opportunity to reach out to people who may be able to help. So in practical terms successful job candidates rely on a mix of approaches to find the new position most suitable for them.”

“Nevertheless, from year to year the data say that traditional networking is nearly twice as successful as any other job search method,” said McVey. “People tend to trust people they meet.”

Source: Right Management

About Jacco Valkenburg

Jacco Valkenburg is an international recruitment expert, trainer and author (5 books). He has more than 20 years experience in global recruitment strategies and execution spanning numerous countries for leading companies. As founder of Recruiter University and Recruit2 he provides companies with recruitment training and consultancy. His mission is helping companies ‘from good to great staffing’.

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