Graduates may choose jobs based on social networking rules

10/06/2008

New research has revealed that a large number of graduate workers would consider leaving a job if they were denied access to social networking sites.

Advertising company TMP Worldwide, which carried out the research, is telling employers to beware the pitfalls of restricting access to sites such as Facebook and MySpace as younger members of staff see social networking as an important part of their working day.

The study found that 76 per cent of graduates use the sites for socialising rather than working but many still considered it a vital part of their working day.

Australian law firm Deacons revealed only a few weeks ago that almost half of graduates who use social networking sites regularly would turn down a job if a prospective employer refused access to their site of choice.

TMP head of graduate solutions Jayne Cullen warns employers to think twice before banning the sites as it may curtail the recruitment of top talent.

"Banning social networking at work could alienate the population of new recruits very quickly," she said.

"After the cost of recruiting them and training them this might not be the wisest move to make."

As employers look for to attract graduates with non-monetary benefits, access to social networking may become a common selling point for positions in the not too distant future.