Social Media Platforms Give Companies a Competitive Advantage

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 15 April, 2013 – A survey was recently conducted by JobStreet.com to determine the impact of social media in the workplace. Results show both employers and employees strongly believe that companies who embrace social media are more likely to have a competitive advantage over those who do not use social media at all. 

Over 80 per cent of employers agreed that social media tools can be used as an advantage to drive business prospects over those who don’t. Likewise, over 90 per cent of employees agreed when asked the same question.

The survey also showed that many companies are quite relaxed with their social media usage policy.  A 65 per cent majority of employers felt work productivity would not be affected as long as employees exercised self-discipline towards completing their work first.  

Several different ways to use social media for business purposes were discussed and ranked as well.  When JobStreet.com asked employers what their company uses social media for, the biggest response, at 54 per cent, was for improving organizational communication. This was closely followed by enhancing employer branding and for improving their recruitment efforts.

Companies not taking advantage of this useful business tool may want to reconsider their policy on social media in the workplace as 88 per cent of employees responded they are more likely to join a company which is active in its social media platform. 

Speaking at the 14th National Human Resources Summit 2013 this past weekend, Ms. Chook Yuh Yng, country manager of JobStreet.com said, “Companies should learn to invest in social media for business purposes to interact with their employees as well as prospective customers. By adopting an active social media platform companies could learn to improve customer relationships, help to enhance company branding, improve organizational communication to help retain and attract talent.

While 52 per cent of employers use social media to connect with their employees, hiring based on a jobseeker’s social media profile is still not common practice in Malaysia. Only 17 per cent of employers said they would screen a potential jobseeker’s social media page before hiring. 

Overall, both the employees and employers who took the survey gave positive feedback towards using social media for business purposes.  A total of 394 employers and 379 employees, of which 58 per cent are senior-level executives, took part in the JobStreet.com survey in March 2013.

About JobStreet.com 
JobStreet.com (www.jobstreet.com) is a leading online recruitment company presently covering the employment markets in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. The Group currently services over 80,000 corporate customers and over 11 million jobseekers in its database. JobStreet.com is listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities (JOBST).
Disclaimer

This document is based on information obtained from our survey and we do not make any representation or warranty as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. This document is prepared for general circulation and republication is allowed provided JobStreet.com is mentioned as the contributor. This document is not to be taken in substitution for the exercise of judgment by addressees. JobStreet.com accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this document or further communication given in relation to this document.

For more information about this news release, or to schedule an interview with JobStreet.com, please email Junie Lim at junie.lim@jobstreet.com.