Yahoo Launches Kickstart Social Network

Yahoo has launched a new social network, Kickstart, aimed at filling the gap between Facebook and LinkedIn.

Are you looking for a social network that can help in your job search, something a little more mature than Facebook, but not as buttoned-down and businesslikeas LinkedIn? Yahoo seems to think a lot of people are searching for just that, and have launched Kickstart to fill what they see as a void to be exploited.   In his blog, Scott Gatz, senior director of advanced products at Yahoo, wrote,   "It’sbased on the premise that everyone does have a network: the school you went to, the frat/sorority you were in, the professional/interest group you are in, the companies you interned or workedat."   Certainly Yahoo hasn’t experienced the anticipated success with its Yahoo 360 social network, easily eclipsed by others, so this might help it find the slice of the pie that itneeds. It’s aimed primarily at new college graduates, a constantly renewing market, and one always eager to use opportunities that might help them land good jobs.   However, it might facecompetition from a new Facebook widget that lets companies show job vacancies on their employees’ Facebook pages.