The hunt for a job

Search engine research

Inappropriate use of the internet has created many new pitfalls for people seeking work. While the growth of online technology has opened up opportunities for web users the world over, the internet also presents new social problems created by its very existence.

Finding a job in the first place is often difficult enough. But now there are additional challenges too. Recent research shows that 77% of recruiters use search engines to unearth background information about job candidates – and 35% admitted eliminating a candidate because of what they found online. On the flipside, while 82% of candidates expected recruiters to check them out on a search engine, only 33% bothered to search for information on themselves to see what their prospective employer might find out.

The importance of online profiles
Now a new initiative aims to help develop unemployed people’s awareness of their online profile – and its importance in their search for work.

The Networking for Work project aims to give unemployed people the skills to take control of their online presence and to promote themselves effectively to potential employers using simple social networking tools, ­such as a blog, Facebook page, LinkedIn profile etc. With numbers of applicants per job rising, it will help participants avoid basic mistakes and give themselves a competitive edge.

Networking for Work will also help people protect themselves from discrimination by employers who might use information found online inappropriately, particularly about peoples’ social lives or backgrounds.  At the same time, it will help to generate self-confidence and the learning of transferable skills through expression in new media.

Informal and engaging training
To achieve this, the project will network unemployed people with each other and also with people in work, encouraging them to share stories, hints and leads. As a result, netWork will use the best of the internet to solve a social problem the web has itself created.

As well as increasing people’s awareness of the importance of their online profile in their search for work, Networking for Work will empower jobseekers to make their profile more effective and to project it to potential employment networks. All of the training will be delivered in an informal, engaging and fun way – either as a solo activity or as part of a trainer-led group session.