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US - Healthcare pros nearly double use of social media in job searches

November 13, 2013

Use of social media among healthcare professionals to search for jobs has risen dramatically, according to a new survey by AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AHS). The survey found 42 percent of healthcare professionals used social media in their job search in 2013, nearly double from an earlier survey in 2010.

Healthcare professionals use social media to look at job postings, research companies and determine if they know anyone who could assist them in their job search, according to AMN. And if healthcare professionals could choose only one general social media site for career purposes, 58 percent cited LinkedIn, according to AMN’s survey. Another 24 percent cited Facebook and 10 percent cited Google+.

However, healthcare professionals do differ in their use of social media. Physicians ranked least likely to use social media and pharmacists ranked most likely.

AMN’s survey also found that 20 percent of healthcare professionals now receive mobile (text) job alerts, nearly double the number from the 2010 survey.

Even with social media and mobile technology, direct contact was the most-frequently cited source for job searches by healthcare professionals. Direct contact was cited by 62 percent of professionals. It was followed by online job boards at 60 percent and referrals at 51 percent.

The three most effective sources that resulted in a new job were direct contact, referrals and “recruiter found me.”

“Our research clearly shows that online and social sources continue to grow in popularity, but even more importantly, that clinicians are using a myriad of social channels available to them more strategically than in the past,” said Ralph Henderson, president of healthcare staffing at AMN Healthcare. “Innovative digital and social recruitment strategies are needed to reach high-demand healthcare professionals.”

The emailed survey was conducted during the spring of 2013. Respondents included 1,902 registered nurses, allied professionals, physicians, pharmacists, advanced practice professionals, dentists and others.