It’s only these last days that I finally understand what is, I believe, a corner stone of online social networking websites: scaring your employer!!!
I am a curious participant of professional social networks: Linked in, Xing for example Curious because this is an advanced use of community websites and curious as I always had doubts on the evolution of this kind of sites.
There is basically two kind of persons using these networks: the soft users (those who registered and will not come back after the used this server 3 or 4 times) and the heavy users (those who will develop their list of contact and will follow who added who to the list).
I am right in the between, wondering why these servers are not so attractive even if thousands of persons are registered. The traffic is there, but the retention is not. I had problems to understand the logic (as I think that I understand the motivation) of having a list of dozens of contacts. This may be useful between persons that are playing the game: Contact me if you need a contact – you’ll help me in return next time. I met many singular example of persons accumulating contacts (and they are no head hunters) but not willing to share them.
These is in thinking at a particular person that I found out the new application of online social network. You are publicly claiming the fact that you are looking for a job.
Often, the employer and colleagues are in the network. As a result, they know when you are adding contacts of competitors, head hunters, recruitment agencies, potential employers, … And this is a way to tell to the employer: “look, I am in contact with all these persons.
So treat me right or I leave”. Before, the confrontation was not that clear. No names or companies quoted. Now, we list them publicly. Business is tough. Employees reacted. 1/1
PS. One funny thing still: If someone found out a non-ridiculous way to send the message of invitation to join one’s network, please let me know: the sentence of Linked in: I would like to add you to my network (because What?) is so bad…
