Facebook helps employers screen & develop talent... Social networking is the new frontier of recruiting and connecting with staff.

    CALGARY, May 7 /CNW/ - Employers are quickly changing their attitudes
toward the ever-growing Facebook phenomenon. Within the last few months, many
companies, government departments and organizations banned employees from
using the social networking site during working hours. Like its technological
predecessors - including e-mail and cell phones - employers today are
struggling to grasp the strength of this technological tsunami, and use it to
their advantage. A national research study by ZINC Research and its partner
Dufferin Research, shows that almost half of Facebook's users have no problem
with their current employer viewing their profile, and 2 in 5 would consider
letting prospective employers view their profile in addition to their resume
when looking for a new job.
    "Most employers are trying to figure out how Facebook can make a positive
contribution to their operations," says Brian Singh, Managing Director of ZINC
Research. He suggests that Facebook and related social media are an employer's
best ally - "while the platform presents many opportunities and cost
efficiencies for marketing and information, it is its strength in connection
and engagement that can be used to attract and retain talent and build a
vibrant company culture. Why shut down access when you can leverage your best
assets - your employees."
    While Facebook membership appears to have stabilized at over 9 million,
almost 9 in 10 Canadians aged 18 to 34 years are members - the cohort that is
most sought after by employers. "Young adults have adopted Facebook as the de
facto communication and networking platform," said Singh. "Companies that
grasp this reality and develop a Facebook-related attraction and retention
strategy will better connect to their workforce and get the upper hand in
business."
    For more information: http://www.zincresearch.com/pressroom.htm

For further information: John P. Larsen, Communications Officer, ZINC
Research. Inc, [phone]; Brian Singh, Managing Director - ZINC Research,
Inc., [e-mail], [phone]