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One of my clients was telling me how finding a job can be a frustrating experience. I suggested her joining LinkedIn and connecting with others within her industry and a few recruiters. I feel that one of the fastest growing methods of finding a job is networking through social network sites. Social network sites can be an extremely valuable tool that will help you learn of job opportunities that are not even posted on job websites yet.
While social network sites have become the more popular way to find a job, it can be overwhelming because there are so many choices. It is important to know what you are doing when promoting yourself on one of these sites, or you can leave the wrong impression. Here are some tips to succeed in finding a job through social networks.
Benefits of Using Social Networks
· Establishes a professional online presence that will present your skills and accomplishments.
· Allows you to find others interested in your field of work and connect with these people for advice and knowledge they have in this area.
· Helps you to identify employers and key contacts within a company you are targeting. This will increase your invisibility as a candidate.
· Allows you to create a well designed profile for recruiters to view.
· Allows you to create relevant information and supply resources relevant to your industry.
· Helps you to generate referrals.
Tips for Using Social Networking to Find a Job
While social networking is one of the best ways to search for a job, it can completely damage your credibility and/or chances of being hired if you are not careful in your approach. There are many mistakes you can make during your social networking campaign for finding a job. If you follow these tips, you may be able to avoid these mistakes and have a successful outcome.
Complete your Profile
Your profile is basically your resume. You will want to make sure you complete the profile extensively. If your profile is not complete, this could deter a person from connecting with you because there is not enough information up front for them to make an informed decision. Go through each step and include any and all information you can about your experiences and employment history.
Research yourself
This is important because this is exactly what an employer who is interested will do. See what is out there when you type in your name. Make sure you are aware of anything that is negative associated with your name. This way you will be prepared to defend yourself, rather than be shocked at what is being reported. More than likely, the negative information is not even regarding you, but someone with your same name. However, this way you will be prepared to explain this information. To do this, simply do a Google search.
Remember Proper Etiquette
Just because you are online does not mean you should throw proper etiquette out the door. Being online might give you that little bit of extra confidence you need to approach a person that you would not normally have face to face; however, it is important that you are not too forward in your approach. Don’t forget the “small talk.” This will help you build a rapport with that person where you can then transition into talking about the employment opportunity.
Utilize Social Networking Tools and Apps
Enhance your online image by using the tools they provide. These tools can truly add depth to your profile, which can enhance your professional image.
You may need to combine some methods to help you increase your chances for employment. For example, you are more likely to find a job through Twitter if you connect it with a blog or LinkedIn URL.
Social networking is an excellent resource for searching for that dream job. Just remember that your approach can truly impact your chances of finding that perfect job. A professional image is extremely important. Take care to protect your online image, and you could be on your way to a lucrative career.
