NORWALK, CT, July 19 — Person-to-person networking continues to be the most successful job seeking tool in the Northeast, according to a new study by Right Management. The firm analyzed job data on the more than 6,000 individuals in the region to whom it provided career transition services over the past three years. Right Management is the talent and career management expert within ManpowerGroup, the world leader in innovative workforce solutions.
Traditional networking was the source of new employment for 45% of the firm’s job candidates in the Northeast, while Internet job boards accounted for 19% of the new positions landed.
Source of New Job
(6,082 job seekers in Northeast)
2010 2009 2008
Networking 45% 47% 45%
Internet Job Board 19% 18% 16%
Agency/Search firm13% 11% 15%
Direct Approach 6% 8% 7%
Online Network 6% na na
Advertisement 2% 6% 5%
Other 10% 11% 11%
“The job search is changing, and some methods are losing ground to others, but classic, systematic networking continues to be most effective way to find suitable employment,” said Peter Russell, Career Management Practice Leader for Right Management. “Of course, technology is playing a growing role, but online social networking may not always be separate from traditional networking since one so often leads to the other. A job seeker may use the Internet to track down former associates or acquaintances and then reach out to them in person. Just like the cold call, the Internet is a way to make an initial contact with a prospective employer.”
Among the other findings:
• For the first time in 2010 “Online Network” was made a separate category and was cited by 6% of the successful job candidates in the region.
• The “Direct Approach” or cold calling is holding its own as an effective tool for many job seekers.
• Newspaper or periodical classified ads continue their decline as a source of new employment and Internet job postings play an increasing role.
• Agencies, recruiters and search firms may be regaining their place in the mix, perhaps as a result of a strengthening job market.
• “Other” may mean some combination of the above, or perhaps serendipity, direct referral or even good luck and it will surely remain an aspect of any successful job hunt.
As revealing as the data may be, a job search is usually a more complicated and multi-layered process, said Russell. “Job candidates are encouraged to use as many tools as possible, every kind of research, any former contacts, and every opportunity to reach out to people who may be able to help. So in practical terms successful job candidates rely on a mix of approaches to find the most suitable new position for them.”
“Nevertheless, from year to year the data say that traditional networking is nearly twice as successful as any other job search method,” observed Russell. “People tend to trust people they meet.”
About Right Management
Right Management is the talent and career management expert within ManpowerGroup, the world leader in innovative workforce solutions. Right Management helps clients win in the changing world of work by designing and executing workforce solutions that align talent strategy with business strategy. Our expertise spans Talent Assessment, Leader Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Employee Engagement, and Workforce Transition and Outplacement. With offices in over 50 countries, Right Management partners with companies of all sizes. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies are currently working with us to help them grow talent, reduce costs and accelerate performance.
Media Contacts: Peter Russell, e-mail protected from spam bots, 203-358-5997,
or Shari Fryer, e-mail protected from spam bots, 970-846-6607.
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