Technology in the World of HR

A recent article regarding the DOs and DON'Ts of using Facebook while maintaining your professionalism got me thinking about how technology (specifically the internet) has changed the business landscape for both employees (those currently employed and/or those seeking employment) and those who manage and hire employees. Here is a list of pros and cons that I quickly came up with.

JOB SEEKERS

PROS:

• Access to numerous open positions through job search websites (i.e. Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com), company websites, and non-traditional job search outlets (i.e. Craigslist.com) make job seeking more effective.
• The ability to develop your online profile can make you and make your resume available to those searching online in need of employees.
• Search engines, company websites, newsfeeds, etc., offer the ability to quickly and thoroughly research potential job opportunities and hiring organizations.
• You have access to countless online resources for effective job searching, writing your resume, and having a positive job interview.
• The ability to utilize online social media networks can help you find otherwise unknown job opportunities.

CONS:

• A lot of personal information may be avaialable online that you do not what prospective employers finding.
• Getting into a habit of only searching for and applying for jobs through online channels can be a monotonous and ineffective job search.
• Even with online professional profiles and resumes, it is hard to convey your true personality and professional motivations without face-to-face personal contact.

CURRENT EMPLOYEES

PROS:

• Internet research can assist you in finding the lowest cost, most effective, and/or fastest solutions to the problems you face at work.
• Utilizing online training, remote network meetings, etc., can cost travel costs and increase the effectiveness of long-distance work groups and organizations.
• Computer and internet resources have aided employees in accomplishing more and being a more valuable asset to the company.

CONS:

• From watching YouTube videos, to online shopping, to playing games, to reading online news, the internet can be a huge distraction at work.
• Since most information is just a mouse click or online chat with a co-worker away, there is potential for reduced time being physically active at work.
• Relationships with coworkers, customers and/or supervisors may suffer with reduced personal interaction.
• Technology at times may make some employees obsolete, leading to job losses.

MANAGERS

PROS:

• The ability to quickly disseminate information to your employees is increased through email, company intranet, etc.
• Time and effort spent managing "paperwork" (i.e. payroll, contracts, employee records, etc.) can be greatly reduced through technology.
• Recruiting is greatly facilitated through online job boards, websites and professional networks.
• A quick Google search on a job applicant and/or current employee can uncover important information that otherwise would not be brought to light.

CONS:

• Reduced personal interaction with your employees can decrease employee job satisfaction and can take a toll on your relationship with your employees.
• Focusing too much on internet recruiting may increase the quantity of applicants without increasing (and potentially decreasing) the quality of applicants.
• A quick Google search on a job applicant and/or current employee can uncover unimportant information that should probably not have been brought to light.

What are your thoughts? What are some of the positives and/or negatives that you have seen in your own experience with increased computer and internet technology?