Using social media during job search: the case of 16–24 year olds in Scotland

Mowbray, J. and Hall, H. (2021) Using social media during job search: the case of 16–24 year olds in Scotland. Journal of Information Science, 47(5), pp. 535-550. (doi: 10.1177/0165551520927657)

Abstract

Social media are powerful networking platforms that provide users with significant information opportunities. Despite this, little is known about their impact on job search behaviour. Here, interview (participants = 7), focus group (participants = 6) and survey (n = 558) data supplied by young jobseekers in Scotland were analysed to investigate the role of social media in job search. The findings show that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are the most popular platforms for this purpose, and that the type of job sought influences the direction of user behaviour. Frequent social media use for job search is linked with interview invitations. The study also reveals that although most jobseekers use social media for job search sparingly, they are much more likely to do so if advised by a professional. Combined, the findings represent a crucial base of knowledge which can inform careers policy and be used as a platform for further research.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mowbray, Dr John
• Authors: Mowbray, J., and Hall, H.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Economic and Social History
• Journal Name: Journal of Information Science
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0165-5515
• ISSN (Online): 1741-6485
• Published Online: 11 June 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Information Science 47(5): 535-550
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190423		ESRC Doctoral Training Centre 2011...	Mary Beth Kneafsey	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/J500136/1	Research and Innovation Services