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WEB 2.0 FOR JOB SEEKERS

Not since the late 1990’s have we heard as much about the growing internet community as we do today. Previously, only message boards served as the main interface between people with little more than simple postings as “chat” or underground methods of exchanging music files. With the advent of Google and similar search technologies, the way we seek out and exchange information has required a shift in the way we think about sharing information with others—and ourselves.

Web 2.0 is the latest development of internet information aggregation and is fast becoming the new skill set in the job seeker briefcase. The following sections describe key aspects of Web 2.0 technology.

Blogs
One of the most popular Web 2.0 elements is blogging. Blogging or “web logs” is a form of electronic journal where people can write (as well as post photos, videos, or other files) on virtually any subject and share it with the world. Job seekers can use a blog to showcase technical or professional expertise. Employers can review the blog as an initial method to research potential candidates and invite them to interview for opportunities—many that are never posted on job boards or company websites. Blog creation sites like WordPress or Blogger allow anyone to start blogging easily and at no cost.

Social networking
Blogging is a piece of the larger umbrella known as social networking. Social networking sites like Myspace, Facebook, and LinkedIn, allow users to go beyond static webpages and create dynamic content that can reveal anything from your favorite ice cream flavor to job interests. This unique ability for individuals to add content, links, and information with friends (and the world) opens up possibilities to share knowledge like never before. In fact, most of the hyperlinks used in this article were created thanks to Wikipedia which is a form of social networking technology called wiki.

Social bookmarking
Companies today use the power of Web 2.0 to gain access to data “tagged” by the community. Social bookmarking sites like del.icio.us, reddit, Digg allow users to provide a virtual bookmark for others to find targeted and specific information of interest. Recruiters can search through these sites for information on companies as well as passive job seekers. Its free, it’s easy, and the information generated is much more targeted than traditional searches. As search engines become fine tuned to community driven tagging, job seekers need to participate in tagging to build a social community of expertise for help with immediate career questions or job leads.

RSS
Real simple syndication or RSS allows users to create a “feed” of information from popular blogs, news services, or other websites. With a simple click of the RSS icon, you can receive email updates to any change in content you desire. This is a useful feature when following specific companies, trends, or job openings.

Job search and Web 2.0
Job boards are also joining the sourcing/aggregate features of Web 2.0. Job search engine provider Recruit.net gathers information about open jobs (rather than hosting open jobs for others like Monster.com) from various sources throughout the web. Recruit.net goes a step further by allowing users to make site improvements and provide feedback on job trends. Other sites following similar job search modeling include: Indeed.com (US), SimplyHired.com (US), Bixee.com (India), WowJobs.ca (Canada) and Eluta.ca (Canada).


Web 2.0/Social Networking References and links:
Graham, P., Web 2.0, 11/30/2005, http://paulgraham.com/web20.html.
O'Reilly, T., What Is Web 2.0 - Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software, 09/30/2005, http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a/6228.
Web 2.0 workgroup, http://www.web20workgroup.com
Web 2.0 terms, http://www.lingospace.com/web20/searchc.asp

Contributed by:
©2007. Tony Deblauwe, M.C.D, C.C.R.E., is a career coach and founder of HR4Change and author of the upcoming book on management, Tangling with Tyrants®, Managing the Balance of Power at Work.