When people think about 2017 vs. 2007 they tend to acknowledge the rise in social media within society- or specifically millennials. The social media trend has been on the rise now and we should most definitely not be alarmed or targeting millennials at all.
The rise has expanded from average college students to adults well into their jobs for all the right reasons and nothing we should be worried about. The average person may look at a teenager or young adult on their phone and shame them silently for being on social media all the time. Sayings such as "This generation is too electronic based," and "Young adults should spend less time on their phones," are all commonly heard and read, but do we actually know why social media has become such a norm?
Between apps and sites such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Opportunity, it's no wonder that the professional networking area is exponentially booming. We want jobs, and employers are looking for the best they can get in the shortest amount of time.
With a large population, no one has the time anymore to look through a stack of resumes for big companies. These sites give opportunity for jobs near and far, which has driven the desire to move away from home. For people who are involved in so much, websites like LinkedIn are perfect for managing all jobs, community service and extra circulars in one area that's easy to access.
Social media doesn't just stop at the professional networking sites. Apps such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have become a popular go to for businesses to interact with consumers and potential employees.
These apps can interact and promote their brand or business with one simple post. Employee spotlights on a weekly basis can drive in the applicant pool for those who want a tight knit job that cares about their employee. A video on Twitter of some research and hands on experience that a future employee may encounter might be a determinant of if they apply or not.
For these companies, social media is about the balance of catering to their audience and also highlighting the company and all it has to offer.
Yes, social media is a nice way to catch up with friends and family every day and see what people are up to. It's also the perfect opportunity to find out more about a potential job or to even search for companies you probably didn't know were out there. It's the perfect place to market yourself as a great future employee and land the job you've been dreaming about since you first heard of it.