In a study released this week by outplacement services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, personal ‘networking’ ranked as the number 1 resource that a job seeker can use to land a new gig. The firm surveyed top human resources executives earlier this month, asking them to rank the tools that potential hires are currently using to successfully get hired. Each job-search method was ranked on a score of 1 to 5, and ‘networking’ earned a 3.98 average ranking.

While 48% of respondents ranked traditional networking a perfect 5 out of 5 in the survey, 47% gave ‘online networking’ a 4 or a 5, making it a close second in the survey. Online networking, specifically via sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, received an average rating of 3.3. Online job boards were also found to be quite effective, with an average rating of 3.

Bringing up the tail-end of the survey of most useful job-seeking methods were Job Fairs and Newspaper Classified Ads, earning average scores of 1.6 and 1.7, respectively.

John Challenger, CEO of the outplacement firm, was careful to note that job seekers must rely on a variety of tools to secure a top-notch job offer:

“It is important to remember that the job search is a multifaceted process. Those who rely on just one tool, even if it is networking, will take longer to find a position. The problem with the ease and accessibility of the Internet is that many job seekers make it their primary job search tool. Overuse of the Internet also threatens to prolong the hiring process on the employer’s end, as well, by inundating employers with irrelevant resumes.”

Challenger notes that the Internet should only be used to back up traditional, in-person networking as the most effective piece of the job seeker toolkit. In a blog post earlier this month, Owen Tripp also offered several tips to supplement traditional networking with online professional networking on LinkedIn. As you network, make sure to keep an eye on your virtual resume, and to take the steps necessary to get an extra edge over the competition when you apply for your next job.

Five individuals filed a civil lawsuit against Facebook earlier today, alleging that Facebook has misled users and failed to respect California state privacy laws.   From the Wall Street Journal:

“Plaintiffs and the general public desire and expect a level of privacy, which Facebook has failed to satisfy under its current policies, procedures, practices, and technology,” the complaint states. The plaintiffs, which include a photographer, an actress, and some middle school and college students, are demanding damages and attorney’s fees and requesting a jury trial.

This complaint, the first of its kind as far as we know, comes on the heels of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner’s recent report on Facebook’s lack of privacy safeguards against a major privacy breach.  It’s worth noting, though, Facebook announced this morning that it plans to revise its privacy and security policies to bring them in line with Canadian privacy law, and satisfy the demands of Commissioner Stoddart’s report.

Be sure to check out our previous posts on protecting your privacy on Facebook and how Facebook Applications are mining your personal data.

Recently, ABC News ran a news article highlighting Disney star Vanessa Hudgens and her attempts to censor nude photos of herself that have spread online. Reputation.com CEO Michael Fertik was quoted in the piece explaining how intellectual property law, and not privacy law, is Hudgens’ best chance at removing the photos.

From the article:

“If the blog itself, or the owner of the blog, posts a photograph that it doesn’t own, they’re violating somebody’s ownership,” said Scott L. Vernick, a partner with Fox Rothschild LLP and an expert in intellectual property law. “When you post something on a blog as Jane Q. Citizen, then the onus is on you, not on the blog, and the law can prosecute you.”

What’s more, blogs hosting Hudgens’ photos are guilty of using her likeness for commercial purpose — few things boost a site’s traffic and ad revenue like a batch of semi-nude photos — without her permission.

“Separate from the issues associated with copyright law, you’re not allowed to use someone’s picture for commercial purpose without their permission and use it to make money,” Vernick said.

[...]

“The law currently gives a billion percent immunity to let Web sites behave as badly as they want to,” explained Michael Fertik, CEO of Reputation.com, an online reputation management and privacy company. “Only when the copyright owner comes along does the site have to back down. If by chance you took the picture, you win.” 

As we discussed previously at the Reputation.com Blog with regard to the Erin Andrew voyeurism case, there is little legal recourse for individuals who have their privacy violated online. It is unfortunate that the only way individuals can be legally protected from having private material spread online is if they are the ones who authored the content.

While the law is slowly beginning to catch up with technology, we are still a long way away from having the necessary legal framework in place to protect identity online. In the meantime, it is important for all individuals to take a proactive stance in managing how they appear online.

Right now, someone you know (it may even be yourself) is unemployed. While the recession may technically be over, as was recently reported in Newsweek, the truth is there are still a lot of people out there looking for work. Unfortunately, looking for a job is practically a full time job in itself, and it can be extremely discouraging when you run into road blocks or don’t get a call back.

Now, more than ever, finding a good job is about who you know, which is why, rather than sticking to the traditional online outlets such as Monster and Career Builder, many people are turning to social networking to find a job opportunity.  Twitter, in particular, is one of the most useful social networking tools out there for improving your chance of getting a job. But how do you use Twitter to find a job?

Recently, Reputation.com Blog came across a great article written by Lydia Dishman titled “Will Tweet For Work.” In the article, Dishman shares some compelling statistics, including this doozy:

80% of companies plan to use social networking to find and attract candidates this year, according to a study published by Jobvite recently. Though LinkedIn, with its resume-like format, emerged as the leading social media used for recruiting purposes, Twitter came in third with a whopping 42% of recruiters tapping it for potential candidates.

Dishman goes on to explain some of the websites that have sprung up to help facilitate job hunting on Twitter, such as Tweetmyjobs.com and Jobvite.com.  Another tactic you can use to connect with potential employers is to get out there and start following the employees of the companies where you are interested in working. Start interacting with them and responding to their tweets and, sometime down the road after establishing a rapport, let them know what you could offer their company.

We’ve all seen how social networking can help people lose their jobs. You don’t want to be that person. Using social networking pro-actively and responsibly is the best way to give yourself an edge in a competitive job market.

In recent months, Facebook has made many changes to its privacy options. So many, in fact, that some users are having a hard time figuring out how to keep their status updates private. We have already seen one person lose her job after an ill-advised status update, how many more Facebook users out there are sending uncensored messages to their bosses and parents?

Luckily, the crack staffs at Ars Technica and Mashable have bought put together terrific Facebook Privacy Guides. The Ars Technica guide is particularly detailed, explaining such helpful tidbits as how a user can opt out of ads shown by third party application. Make sure to head over to either site to get all details. In the meantime, enjoy this hilarious comic from The Joy of Tech.

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