Almost a quarter, 24 percent, of U.S. workers surveyed are more inclined to search for a job through social media than through traditional methods including newspapers, job boards and recruitment firms, according to a survey by Kelly Services Inc. (NASD: KELYA).

In addition, 12 percent of U.S. employees approved of personal use of social media at work, but 51 percent say social media has a negative impact on workplace productivity.

In Canada, one third of workers said they were more inclined to search for jobs via social media than through traditional methods. And 15 percent approved of personal use of social media at work.

Worldwide, 30 percent of workers are more inclined to search for jobs via social media than traditional methods, but 43 percent agree that social media adversely impacts productivity.

The Kelly survey included responses from approximately 170,000 people throughout the world.