Use of Professional LinkedIn Network for Job Hunting by Graduates of Technical Education and Training Institutions (TETIs) in Tanzania

CRN Charles Raphael
Tengeru Institute of Community Development, Tanzania
Email: crn201412@gmail.com

Abstract: LinkedIn is a job-hunting application with extensive scope of networking and job postings, used by people of all age groups. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on the use of professional LinkedIn network (PLiN) for job hunting by TETIs’ graduates in Tanzania. Guided by Social Capital Theory and Technology Acceptance Model, this study specifically addresses two questions: What is the level of proficiency on PLiN among the TETIs’ graduates in Tanzania? To what extent the TETIs’ graduates use PLiN in hunting jobs in Tanzania compared to other networks? This study was approached quantitatively by basing on descriptive and explanatory survey designs. Data were collected using questionnaires from 350 graduates, who were sampled using hybrid sampling technique. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. The findings show that, majority graduates (71%, 70%, and 61%) have average proficiency level on PLiN in terms of key features and uses, LinkedIn premium, and on important considerations of the PLiN. Furthermore, the graduates use PLiN to the small extent (63%) in hunting jobs compare to other networks; something justified as well by independent t-test results i.e. there was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of hunting jobs between using PLiN and other networks among graduates in Tanzania. Although PLiN greatly improves job hunting, majority graduates are not making the most of it due to average level of proficiency. This study suggests PLiN training by TETIs’ and other stakeholders.