31% of workers in the UK find employment through a network contact. This can be explained by the dissemination of job information throughout social structures.

Social media tools (SMTs) facilitate membership of multiple networks, across geographic boundaries. This provides users with unprecedented information gathering capacities. To understand how 16-24 year olds engage in networking to find job information, this study considers the impact of SMTs on the job search process.1. What are the key offline networking behaviours of the Scottish youth labour force?

2. How do social media tools support the offline networking behaviours of the Scottish youth labour force?

3. How can this knowledge be used to improve careers services, and boost individual employability levels?

The role of networking and social media during job search

an information behaviour perspectiveWilson’s model of general information behaviour (below) is used as a framework to collect both QUAL and QUAN data.

Interviews: 7 jobseekers and 3 careers advisors. Social network analysis approach (name generator) is used in jobseeker interviews to understand how information is attained from network contacts.

Focus groups: 2 groups of 8 jobseekers. Used to develop knowledge gained in interviews e.g. barriers/enablers to information seeking via social media.

Questionnaires: Business undergraduates of 5 Scottish universities, and users of careers guidance services.

Facebook is the most prominent SMT used amongst 16-24 year olds. However, whilst its functionality lends itself to passive information gathering, it is less likely to be appropriated for an active job search.

Young people often rely on “strong” network ties (e.g. family members) to mobilise on their behalf, accentuating the role of social capital during job search. Informational capital, attained from SMTs, can be particularly beneficial for entry into niche industries (e.g. games industry).1. Analysis of survey data2. Post-survey focus groups with

careers advisers3. Writing up of thesis

Context of information need

Intervening variables

Information-seeking behaviour

Information processing and use

Passive attention

Passive search

Active search

Ongoing search

Psychological

Demographic

Interpersonal

Source characteristics

Person in context

John Mowbray, 2nd year PhD student (j.mowbray@napier.ac.uk; @jmowb_napier)Supervisors: Professor Hazel Hall, Professor Robert Raeside, and Dr Pete Robertson

4. framework: Wilson’s model 2. the questions 6. next steps

3. method1. the research 5. early findings