Social Networking… What are you waiting for?
Comments:14
There are die hards out there who still insist 
the best way to get a job is the old fashion way– newspaper ads and word-of-mouth. While I agree on the word-of-mouth (a.k.a. networking) point, let’s face it, the reality of finding a “career” through a newspaper ad is slim.
So, if you are still unfamiliar with social marketing/networking and online branding/profiles, I will give you the 101 basics on how to get started online with fast results.
1. I know I sound like a broken record here, but join LinkedIn. LinkedIn will open doors for you that you never thought possible. Originally started as a professional networking tool, LinkedIn is now being used by employers to seek out job seekers! How do they do this? They type in the keywords of candidate characteristics in the search box. If their words match up with the keywords on your profile, guess what? You have officially become a contender. You can also research companies online, network with employees that WORK at that company and look for current job openings. Utilize LinkedIn as much as you can. You will be amazed at the results you get.
2. Join Twitter. If you are an entrepreneur, have a small business of some sort or are a job seeker, Twitter is a wonderful way to connect fast with all sorts of people. You build your network by following others who in return, follow you. It sounds strange at first until you get going. I created my profile in November, but didn’t see the value of Twitter until the following January when I started really connecting with colleagues and job seekers, plus all sorts of other interesting folks. You can spread the word that you are job searching. The bigger your “follower” list is, the more people will know this and keep their eyes and ears open for you. I just read a great post about a college grad who got a job within just a couple of weeks of joining Twitter. Read it. Then join Twitter.
3. Facebook is a great way to connect with lots of people and get a little more personal with them. With the option of adding pictures, videos, quizzes and applications, you let the other person see more into your personal life–if you want them to. Many companies have their own Facebook pages that you can research. Again, another great networking tool.
4. Another one I think everyone should do is to set up a Google profile. It is a basic profile with facts about you on Google. You will be able to control, or at least add to, what people see when the ‘Google’ you. Put up a professional picture and add a little bio. It adds to your online presence.
There are also Naymz, Plaxo, Ning, Ecademy, and many, many more.
As with anything, there are a few rules to keep in mind when doing your online networking. NEVER ever say anything you wouldn’t want a perspective employer to know. Remember that hiring managers ARE GOOGLING YOU and an unsavory post on any of your networking sites may come back to haunt you. And PLEASE do not post any pictures that you wouldn’t want your Grandmother (or an employer) to see. Be smart. Keep it professional.
Written by Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW - Visit the website to hire executive resume writer Erin Kennedy, CERW, CPRW
Erin is an internationally renowned certified resume writer specializing in professional and executive level resumes and career services.
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- Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC)
- Career Directors International (CDI) 
- Association of Online Resume and Career Professionals (AORCP)
- "The Twitter Job Search Guide", Jist Publishing, 2010
- "Cover Letters for Dummies, 3rd Edition", John Wiley Publications, 2009
- "Expert Resumes for Engineering Professionals", Jist Publishing, 2008
- "Resumes for the Rest of Us: Secrets from the Pros for Job Seekers with Unconventional Career Paths”, Career Press Publishing, 2008 
- "The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book, Fourth Edition", Jist Publishing, 2007 
- "Military-to-Civilian Resumes and Letters", Impact Publications, 2007 
- "No-Nonsense Resumes", Career Press, 2006
- "No-Nonsense Cover Letters", Career Press, 2006
Erin Kennedy, CERW, CPRW, is the
principal writer for Professional Resume Services, she specializes in professional & executive resumes. Internationally
recognized by her peers as one of the best of the
best, she is a perennial award-nominated certified resume writer.
Great advice, Erin! Everything online is fair game. Job seekers would be smart to create content and links they would want a potential employer to see (i.e., Google and LinkedIn profiles) and to reap the benefits of online networking (Facebook, Twitter).
Laurie,
I agree. Utilize the social networking sites to promote yourself and your brand. It works. Nicely put.
Thanks for the comment!
Erin, great post. I’ve found linked in to be very powerful in terms of making business connections. One of my great friends used to be the king of LinkedIn, but got booted so be careful to follow the terms of use.
- Carl Chapman, founder,
CEC Search, LLC
I think this kind of advice for our unemployed brothers and sisters is so helpful and is a genuine act of kindness. I hope that more of us, blessed with income, will reach out more to help others assert themselves back into the economy.
Thanks, Bruce! Appreciate the comment.
Erin
Another excellent post. Your generous sharing of knowledge and tools is wonderful. It’s also spot-on. Thanks!
This empowering advice helps job seekers manage their careers by managing their on-line presence enhancing visibility. Google yourself and see what comes out.
Cheers
Exactly! Well put.
Google-ing yourself can be an eye-opening experience! For example, there are so many Erin Kennedy’s on Google that a potential employer would have no idea which one I was. It’s a good idea to develop your online brand and profile to separate you from the rest.
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks Erin!
One word of caution, if anyone do plan on using their account for their personal life and friends, I would suggest making an account only dedicated to their professional pursuits. This will keep their private and professional life separate.
It is very important to understand each tool and figure out which works best for you. However, don’t limit yourself to just one network.
Hi! I completely agree. I tell clients to create a new dedicated email address just for job search anyway– one resume post on a popular job board and BAM! plan on getting hit with a lot of junk mail.
Thanks for the comment.
Erin
Erin,
I also suggest including a little bit of search engine optimization even at the 101 level. Not only do people want to publish complimentary information about themselves in social media sites, but they should also want to make sure potential employers are finding this information when they Google them. Often times what comes up in the search results includes uncomplimentary items like “pre-wisdom” party photos friends posted online (including tagging your name on it).
We have created a service called PeoplePond that is designed to promote the “good stuff” in the search results which in turn lowers the ranking of that “other stuff” when people Google your name. This is a simple and low-cost service ($36/yr) built around organic SEO fundamentals so it works well and for a long time.
http://peoplepond.com/theronmccollough
Hi Theron,
Sounds like a much needed service. Thanks for letting us know.
Erin