#1 – It’s too easy
Anyone can be an expert. Anecdotal evidence (’there was a guy who got a job based on one tweet!’) spreads like wildfire, yet it is totally unrepresentative of the overall job situation. It’s too easy to claim success, and too little room to examine the deeper ups and downs of the job search, or of the human experience in general. The web makes it even easier to ignore suffering and easier to confirm our own beliefs about the world (whether true or not).
#2 – It only focuses on the web
Yes, web designers, marketers and sales people need a strong web presence. What about the rest of the world? Should an amazing open-heart surgeon care about his/her twitter profile or ‘personal online branding regime’? Does a teacher need a strong web presence? Does everyone need a blog? Does a nurse? Does a janitor?
#3 – It ignores personal networks
These are still the best way to get clients, win contracts and get jobs. Who you know, not as some thumbnail on a Twitter feed, but as a handshake, conversation, smile and personality. The web is a secondary tool, not a primary means of relating to the world.
#4 – Information overload!
Everyone is overloaded with information. Employers get too many resumes for positions via email, job boards etc. They would always rather go with someone they know, or someone who has been recommended by a friend.
#5 – Depersonalization
Already most Americans don’t have enough people as confidants. We’re spending our time, which used to be spent face-to-face, as amorphous online entities with no real distinction from the mass of other people online pulling our attention. Creating a LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook profile might help your job search – or it might blend you into the mass of people already on those networks. Reading another post about a job search might help, or it might be pulling you away from a real person, who knows another real person that wants to hire you for a real position you are qualified for.
So turn off the computer and get into the real world – or better yet, use the computer as a tool to setup real-life meetings, conversations, and groups. Remember the web is a tool, but like anything it can help or hurt depending on its use.
Hey, Awesome blog you have here. I wanted to let you all know that I think Twitter is going to be one of the better networks because of the fact that it is supported by so many industries. I also think when Twitter shows some of it’s new features, returning traffic will increase to show the real growth of the network.
Anyway, I build a site that offers great resources for Twitter that are 100% free, so come and visit and don’t be a stranger.
Keep up the good work!
I found out your blog with google, i was surfing and ended up here, i like what i read, you’ve got talent. For that I can treasure you much more then it may seem.
I am not a specialist at many things.I don’t know about politics,I’m no medic, I have no clue about animals, in fact there are so many things that i have no clue about…BUT..I’m a professional at cooking, I’m a chef and my business is to make people feel like in heaven as soon as they eat what i cook. Perhaps a wedding or a house party or whatever and whenever the reason might be. So I know how hard can be at times to make people feel better at times. That’s why i like you!
There is also something that i enjoy, people blogs that educate other people on diffrent topics.
Continue the good work Thank You!