Employers keep eye on social media profiles

Almost 40% of technology companies check out potential employees’ profiles on social media sites such Facebook or LinkedIn, according to a survey by Eurocom Worldwide and Dublin based Simpson Financial & Technology PR.

'Those party or holiday photos that seemed such a good idea at the time to post on social media websites could damage your career prospects,' commented Ronnie Simpson of Simpson FT PR. '37% of tech firms examine social media profiles to determine potential employees’ suitability for the job.'

The survey, which was conducted during January and February 2010, surveyed 286 senior level executives in technology companies mostly across the European region. 13% of respondents were from Irish technology firms.

The Eurocom Worldwide survey finds that just over a third (37%) of technology companies surveyed have a corporate blog, only slightly more than last year (33%). The major barrier to corporate blogging is that it is too time consuming, cited by 39% of respondents. Almost a third (32%) don’t see the value of it.

Pat Phelan of Cubic Telecom, who was recently named as Irish tech blogger of the year, (www.patphelan.net) commented, 'it is surprising that 60% of technology companies do not blog. Despite the significant time commitment it is a highly cost effective way of generating global profile and website traffic.'

56% of those who blog do so to improve interaction with customers. Over a third (34%) blog to raise profile and thought leadership.

'While corporate management recognises the importance of engaging with customers and the wider public it is interesting that so many do not see the value of corporate blogging,' commented Mads Christensen, network director, Eurocom Worldwide. 'We think this may be mainly due to the time commitment many fear is needed.'

Despite a mixed reaction to blogging, almost half (45%) of those surveyed expect to increase their budget on social media over the next 12 months.

Just over a third (35%) of companies already have a page on Facebook. 23% have a YouTube presence. Almost three quarters (73%) network on LinkedIn with almost one in five (19%) on Plaxo.