"This survey proves HR professionals have been fast adopters of social media, not just for networking but for improving their value as professionals," said Mike O'Toole, president at PJA Advertising + Marketing. "They clearly identify social media channels as a way to increase their expertise and build their professional reputation."

The results show that active participation in social media is an important component of the HR job role and serves as a substantial resource for experience-based knowledge in the workplace. Respondents named staying current (78%) and networking with peers (71%) as the most popular uses of social media. Additionally, more than half have responded to a question posed by a peer in an online community, while nearly 50% have built their personal knowledge network by making connections with peers.

"HR professionals are using social media to expand their pool of available knowledge beyond their office walls," commented George Krautzel, co-founder and president of Toolbox.com. "In doing so, they leverage the experience of professionals like them to make more informed decisions and avoid costly pitfalls."

These results are part of Wave V in the Toolbox.com/PJA Social Media Index survey series, which has been administered to the IT audience since 2007 and to the HR audience for the first time in January 2010. This survey was designed to provide insights from executives and professionals on topical issues that affect decision making. More than 900 members of the HR community at Toolbox.com participated.

This survey revealed the following about social media usage:

• Among HR executives and professionals, social media consumption outpaced editorial and vendor content consumption. Respondents consumed social media at a rate of 3.77 hours per week, compared to 2.77 hours of online editorial content and 2.13 hours of online vendor content.
• Social media represents 43% of total media consumption among HR respondents (compared to 32% for editorial and 25% for vendor content).
• Deep experience is seen as the most important attribute in a social media expert, followed by thoughtful and detailed responses.
• Nearly half of respondents say that a social media presence greatly increases or increases their value as a job candidate, while more than 50% claim that social media is important or very important in building their personal brand.
• Respondents agree that social media's biggest impact on career is to increase their level of expertise in their current job position.

View complete survey results here.