Social networks can turbo-charge your job search. You can connect to people in an entirely new way — a new process, really – including those making hiring decisions. What’s more, social networks help you highlight your talents and personality. This can build rapport and relationships with those who could hire or recommend you.
Here are strategies for using three major social media networks in your job search and “dos and “don’ts†regarding your social network job hunt strategy.
LinkedIn is the main social network for professionals. The site lets you develop an online professional profile and a way to connect with colleagues, former co-workers, professional acquaintances and more. You can also join groups to connect with other professionals who share your interests. For example, the online American Public University System has numerous LinkedIn groups for employees, alumni, friends and students of the various schools.
The key to success is to develop a full profile, listing past positions, successes and links to projects. You can highlight awards, ask for recommendations and begin discussions. You can also connect your LinkedIn profile with other social networks. Leverage the “update†function in your profile to let others know you’re looking for a job or to highlight special expertise that may interest others.
Once you have your profile in place – including a photo showing you at your best – you’re ready to hit the “Jobs†tab. Use the “Advanced Search†function to refine your job search for experience level, location, industry, even a particular company. Save time by saving your searches and tracking the jobs you’ve applied for through LinkedIn. The network will even highlight jobs, based on past searches.
Facebook is generally more informal than LinkedIn, and often used for fun and informal interaction with friends and family. More and more, however, it extends beyond your pals to connect with colleagues, former co-workers and those who share your interests.
Like LinkedIn, you can develop a profile and use the “update†function to let others know about your job search.
Depending on other updates you include, you may want to develop lists: for professional connections, personal friends, and so forth. This will help ensure you always present yourself at your best.
Facebook also has a job search section called Marketplace. You can search by keyword, industry, location and more.
Twitter is also a good social networking tool for job searches. Again, you can make connections with those you know – or those you want to know. Your Twitter profile is short, but you can make the most of it by connecting back to your LinkedIn profile, for instance. Twitter’s power comes from the ability to follow – and be followed – by people, companies and organizations you admire. Your posts, called tweets, highlight what you’re doing, reading or attending, what projects you’re working on – anything that you’d like to share.
Twitter provides another layer of networking and a way to show off your talents, expertise and personality.
Dos and Don’ts
There are many other social networking sites for job hunting, including CraigsList, Plaxo with SimplyHired, Jobster and more. Regardless of what network you choose, be smart when posting anything online. There’s often no way to delete information that you later realize presents you poorly. Here are some tips to help you better use social networks to land your dream job:
- Think before you post: Every post, every photo defines you.
- Never use profanity or be unkind.
- Show off your best work, but be careful not to brag.
- Link, follow, and converse with those you want to work for, but don’t stalk.
- Listen to what others are posting to learn more about the industry and company.
- It’s OK to let others know you’re looking for a job, but don’t let it rule the conversation.
- Be authentic about who you are; faking a personality or experience is as obvious online as it is in person.
- Add to the conversation: Share links, articles or events you think others may enjoy.
- Back up your online profile by having traditional job hunt tools at the ready, such as your resume, work samples and recommendations.
Finally, be sure to nurture the relationships you do develop after you land your job. These connections will be invaluable throughout your professional and personal life.
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