+1 862 207 3288 Networking has the potential to open doors and create possibilities for jobs and partnerships. Networking establishes connections between individuals and access to information that one might not normally have access to. Reaching out to strangers can be an intimidating and nerve-racking experience. In business, the more central you are, the more power you have. Creating connections and ties to other people affords you the opportunity for power and the ability to more closely control your future, so while at times networking might feel awkward and uncomfortable, it is a necessary and important part of establishing and maintaining a career.
Online social networking sites play an important role in this networking process for individuals both professionally and personally. With over 7,000 employees in 2014, Facebook has 1.32 users around the world, and LinkedIn has over 313 million members in over 200 countries. Every month, Linkedin has 187 million unique visitors. These online sites have created new opportunities for networking and allow individuals to branch out beyond their normal world of industry, school, and business. The key is to avoid costly missteps as employers have begun to search online for information about prospective and current employees.
Many of these online sites have become a tool for business. For example, LinkedIn targets working professionals and provides them a way to maintain lists of business connections and to use those connections to gain introduction to people using mutual contacts. Unlike other social networking sites, LinkedIn is almost entirely used by professionals. The power of social networking flows in both directions. Employers can screen applicants through their online accounts and recruiters more than ever are using these sites to view background information, individual skill sets, and employment history, which can be cross-referenced with submitted applications. Job seekers can review the profiles of those at top management firms and search for mutual contacts. LinkedIn also provides statistics about firms, which can be useful information for individuals looking at potential employers.
Networking is about building your brand and managing relationships. Using social networks as a vehicle to market one’s self and make professional connections is becoming increasingly common, as well as using loose ties or connections through others to open doors and land jobs. In an increasingly high-tech and digital world, it is important to be aware and conscience of the digital footprint that we create. But with careful cultivation these online networks can present many opportunities.
Case written by Talya Bauer, Berrin Erdogan, and Carlene Reynolds to accompany Bauer, T., & Erdogan, B. (2015).Organizational Behavior 2.0. Washington, DC: Flat World Knowledge. Based on information from Hof, R. (2008, October 28). Facebook in a suit: LinkedIn launches applications platform. BusinessWeek. Retrieved June 14, 2014, from http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2008/10/linkedin_launch.html; Horswill, A. (2009). How to get a job online using social networking.The Courier Mail. Retrieved March 23, 2010, from LexisNexis Academic database; Lavenda, D. (2010, March 10). 10 tips for safe and effective social networking.Fast Company. Retrieved June 14, 2014, from http://www.fastcompany.com/1577857/10-tips-for-safe-and-effective-social -networking; How to use social networking sites for marketing and PR. (2008, December 24). AllBusiness. Retrieved June 14, 2014, from http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/public-relations/11674037-1.html; Ostrow, A. (2009, August). Facebook fired: 8% of US companies have sacked social media miscreants. Mashable.Retrieved June 14, 2014, from http://mashable.com/2009/08/10/social-media-misuse.
Case Discussion Questions
1. How is online networking different from or similar to in-person networking? Please describe your experience with both.
2. What are the downfalls and benefits of social networking?
3. In what ways are indirect ties as powerful and important as direct ties?
4. To what extent have you built your own brand? Is this something that you have ever considered before?
below is a 3 mins video that you need to watch before working on the case study:
http://elitedaily.com/humor/social-networking-real-life-looks-ridiculous-video/911520/
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