Relevance of social media

The trend of using social media for networking or research continued for the fourth consecutive year, with 65 per cent of respondents saying they use it for this purpose. LinkedIn (92 per cent) was overwhelmingly the most popular social media platform used across all positions in the industry, followed by Facebook (31 per cent), and Instagram (30 per cent). The primary factor contributing to the increased usage of social media is its networking capability, according to many respondents.

According to one respondent, “social media provides a great platform for connecting with potential clients, sharing project updates, and showcasing completed projects. It also allows for more direct communication with potential clients. Additionally, social media can be used to promote events and share valuable resources with the community.”

One respondent says they use social media to “get up-to-date info on what others are doing and what is new and up and coming.” Another said, “Connections that are made can be maintained even as individuals move to new positions in new companies.”

Despite the benefits of social media, survey participants also pointed out several fundamental problems associated with it.

Some people described feeling cautious or hesitant due to the prevalence of privacy concerns and misinformation. “There are too many opportunities for falsification of information on social media and once something is out there it never goes away. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are not an appropriate platform for professional discourse,” said one reader.

Others simply said they do not have time for it and do not care to use it. Another respondent wrote, “I like to keep my life and work off the internet.”