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Social networks can get you jobsNEW DELHI, Aug 11, 2009 (Hindustan Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- When Prasan Kapoor, a computer engineer who earlier worked in the US returned home, he found a suitable job in less than a month online -- but not from a job portal. "I joined a community of certified professionals on Orkut and in less than a month, I got a call from a technology company," Kapoor said. Ajeet Chauhan, vice-president, human resources at Delhi-based fast food chain Nirula's recruits actively through LinkedIn, a professional networking site. "There is an information overload on job portals whereas hiring through LinkedIn seems more real and reference checks more doable," he said. "LinkedIn has been a game changer. Senior-level people who do not want to be seen looking for jobs prefer networking sites or consultants," said Srini Krishnamurthi, MD at Expertus. Social networking is no longer just to hook up with friends and fellow hobbyists. Recruiters and passive job seekers lurk there. Job portals, already hit by an economic downturn, are feeling the heat, but are not worried yet. "Hit rate on Naukri.com for active jobs is high but networking sites could be a threat for us going forward. They are not at present," said Hitesh Oberoi, CEO at Info Edge. Not to be outdone, Naukri launched its own professional networking site Brijj, which has 23 lakh registered users. It is also active on micro-blogging site Twitter.com, where it plans to "tweet" jobs soon. Monster.com's India managing director Sanjay Modi also said he saw no threat yet from social media. To see more of the Hindustan Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.hindustantimes.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Hindustan Times, New Delhi Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |