This is a great time at Plaxo. In 2008, we had triple-digit growth in all of our key metrics, including new users, monthly unique visitors, and pageviews. We increased our network density, with the number of connections in our next-generation social network skyrocketing from 2 million to over 30 million. We got acquired by a stable, profitable, and growing company, while remaining an independent business unit, resourced for growth. (We’re hiring.) And, we’re making great progress at becoming a vital social utility for one of the most valuable demographics: post-college professionals.

But, of course, we are well aware that most companies out there are in a different position, and that our members are confronting a deepening recession, rising unemployment, and decreasing job security. It is that sobering reality that inspired us to come up with a better way to connect job seekers with career opportunities, working together with Simply Hired, the largest job search engine, to introduce “social job listings” on Plaxo.

For users in the U.S., we’ve rolled out a new Jobs section on Plaxo, where hiring managers and recruiters can post new job listings, and where job seekers can browse or search postings from across the Simply Hired network. But jobs posted on Plaxo aren’t like job listings anywhere else; job listings on Plaxo are turbo-charged with the “social power” of your extended network.

Social Job Listings
When you post a job to Plaxo, you have the option of sharing it to any or all of your Plaxo network. For example, you might choose to share the listing to your business connections and to one or two groups that you’re a member of. Or you might share it to your friends and your business network. Or for that matter, you might also share it with your family, if you have family members who might be able to help source candidates! Oh, and of course, your can share it via email with anyone, whether they’re a Plaxo member or not.

On Plaxo, the listing is then like any other shared event in the Plaxo stream, which means you and the people who receive it can comment on it, and anyone who receives it can re-share it to their networks!

And what happens when that social job listing finds its way to someone who wants to apply for the opening? At Plaxo, we’re all about openness and user control. So, as with other user-shared content, we view this as your job listing, not ours. And that means that we don’t get in the middle of communications between you and potential applicants. They can respond to you directly via email. 

Of course, this is just a first release. We’ll be measuring results, monitoring feedback, and looking for more ways to innovate at the intersection of “social” and job listings. Oh, and we’re currently offering a limited-time launch promotion, with a 25% discount on any posting.

John McCrea
VP of Marketing