The Internet is an essential employment resource for many of today's job seekers, according to a new survey released by Pew Research Center. The survey found more than one-third of Americans, 34%, looked for a new job in the last two years, and 79% of these job seekers utilized online resources in their most recent search for employment. Only 32% cited employment agencies as their most-used resource.

Participants were queried on the resource they used most in their most recent search for a job. Results include:

• Online resources and information: 79%
• Connections with close friends or family: 66%
• Professional or work connections: 63%
• Acquaintances or friends-of-friends: 55%
• Employment agencies (government or private): 32%
• Ads in print publications: 32%
• Job fairs, conferences and other events: 28%

The research also found 28% of Americans, including 53% of 18- to 29-year-olds, have used a smartphoneas part of a job search, and half of these "smartphone job seekers" have used their smartphone to fill out a job application.

94% of smartphone job seekers (representing 26% of all American adults) have used their smartphone to browse or research job listings.

87% (representing 24% of all adults) have called a potential employer on the phone using their smartphone.

74% (representing 20% of all adults) have used their smartphone to email someone about a job they were applying for.

50% of smartphone job seekers (representing 14% of all adults) have used their smartphone to fill out an online job application.

23% (representing 6% of all adults) have used their smartphone to create a resume or cover letter.

The survey included 2,001 Americans who use social media and was conducted from June 10 to July 12, 2015.

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