How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

By Heather R. Huhman - http://heatherhuhman.com/

Networking has always been a key to success in the job search—and social media is a prime way to build mutually beneficial relationships while on the hunt for a new job. These relationships can lead you to unadvertised job openings, help you gain knowledge and understanding of your industry, and even land you a referral to a company you’d love to work at.

Getting Started

If you don’t already have a presence on the top social networking sites (LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook), set up an account on each one you plan on using for your career and job search. You might also choose to blog—so search around for the right platform for you. If you already have accounts on any of these sites, make sure that it’s appropriate for your job search. You never know when a potential employer might be looking! Delete the questionable content or change your privacy settings to make your online presence as professional as possible.

Completely fill out your biography, about me section, interests, skills, etc. Many recruiters and employers use search tools to find candidates that match the job description using keywords and phrases. Share your experience, education and accomplishments in your profile to help employers learn the most they possibly can about you.

Use a similar handle across networks. Make it easy for others to find you on whichever platform they use by using your first and last name in your unique URL or as your handle. If you have a common name, consider differentiating yourself by incorporating your skills or profession into your username. To check username availability across multiple platforms, use tools like KnowEm or NameChk.

Upload a professional profile photo. Help others get to know you by putting a photo in your profile. A close-up, professional headshot should do the trick.

Social Media & Your Job Search

Why do you need social media profiles to be successful in your job search? Well, there are a few reasons:

Networking opportunities. Eighty percent (or more) of job opportunities come through some form of networking—and I truly believe that networking is one of the most important tools in your job search toolkit. Meet new contacts from across the world by engaging in conversation on social media and participating in chats, groups and more.

Professional online presence. Employers today are screening candidates based on their online reputational data—profiles, search results, websites, photos, and anything else they can find that’s attached to your name. Proactively creating professional results shows that you’re serious about your job search and career.

Thought leadership. Show that you’re committed to your career by positioning yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Write blog posts pertaining to recent trends in your field, share advice from other thought leaders and participate in online groups and chats.

Connect directly with employers. Recruiters, hiring managers and CEOs are now active on social media. Read their blog, connect with them on LinkedIn or Twitter, and comment on the content they share. It’s easier than ever to build relationships with folks you might never meet in real life—take advantage of it!

Tips for Successful Social Networking

·      Focus on building mutually beneficial relationships—don’t just connect with people that can help you. Think about how you can help them, too.

·      Regularly post interesting articles, photos, videos and other content to stay visible online.

·      Don’t spam your network by constantly talking about yourself.

·      Look for folks in your industry and geographic area to follow and connect with.

·      Dedicate a portion of your day to your maintaining your online presence, following new people, thanking others for sharing your content, etc.

5 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Called Back (And What To Do About It)

by Jasmin French  - http://blog.brand-yourself.com/

So much of the conversation about personal branding focuses on being noticed. Whether it’s creating a blog or maintaining a great personal style – much is said about the need to stand out among the masses and make a great first impression.

I definitely don’t discount the importance of making a great first impression (after all, according to a University of Illinois study, it may take up to 21 interactions to undo a bad first impression); however, I always encourage my clients and the audiences I speak in front of to stop focusing on being noticed and instead focus on being remembered.

You may be wondering, “What’s the difference?” Being noticed gets you a business card. Being remembered gets you a returned phone call. As you develop your personal brand, your focus should be on creating ways to stay at the forefront of the minds of the individuals whom you’ve identified as valuable contacts.

KEEP READING IF THIS APPLIES TO YOU: You’ve identified the right contacts. You’ve managed to get their contact information and have reached out to them. Now you’re simply waiting for your phone to ring. Below are five potential reasons you haven’t heard back from them (and what to do about it).

1. You Tried To Get Married on the First Date

When you fail to properly establish a relationship, it is easy to move too fast too soon. We would all raise our eyebrows if someone proposed to us (ring and all) at the end of a first date. Why? Because we know the value of timing and the importance of investing in a relationship over time in order to be in a position to take things to a more serious level.

The same can be said for your relationships with the people in your network. Exchanging business cards isn’t a guarantee for business, a referral, a job, etc. Take the time to invest in the relationship and work your way up to the big ‘ask’.

2. You Failed to Manage Your Expectations

Making a leap and assuming that an employee at your dream employer is well connected or well respected within that organization could be problematic. If you approach them with the expectation that they are your ‘in’ to securing a job or business – you will likely be disappointed. Unless your key contact is a key decision maker or directly involved in the hiring process, they may be limited in what they can do for you.

Instead, adjust your expectations and treat them as an additional pair of hands involved in the project of building your career. The project does not live or die by their involvement but instead can be enhanced by it. Alleviate the pressure you might be placing on a contact and meet them where they are. Manage your expectations and let them help you where they feel most comfortable (believe me they’ll be better at it).

3. You Forgot About the Jerry Maguire Mandate

In the 1996 cult classic “Jerry Maguire”, sports agent extraordinaire Jerry Maguire (played by Tom Cruise) gets an ear full from his all flash/little substance client Rod Tidwell (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) as Tidwell reminds him about what was most important to him – “Show me the money!!”

In order to get that sought after returned phone call, email or face-to-face meeting, you must be able to clearly articulate the value you add. How? You must show that individual or that organization that you solve a (real) problem that they have and that you solve it better (and not just cheaper) than anyone else. Effectively you must prove to them that they would miss out by not returning your phone call. Show them the value!!

4. You Ignored Non-Verbal Cues.

There are times in life when someone just isn’t interested. For whatever reason, they have no desire to buy what you’re selling. One can only hope that realization is made early on in a relationship allowing both parties to go their separate ways (the challenge occurs when a lot of time, energy or money are invested before arriving at that point).

Perhaps your audience has made it clear – using non-verbal cues – this is one of those instances. But unfortunately in your zeal to establish the relationship, you completely ignored those clues. Now you’re phone isn’t ringing and you’re not sure why.

Pay attention to whether they are reluctant to hand you a business card or seem very vague and evasive when asked about the proper time for a follow-up. For example, if you’re at a networking event and after meeting someone they fail to acknowledge for the rest of the night – there might be an issue. Listen with your eyes as well as your ears. Non-verbal signals may be telling you to move on.

5. Your Disappearing Act Rivals David Blaine’s.

If you’re genuinely stumped and can’t figure out why you haven’t heard back from that person you met a few weeks ago stop and ask yourself, “Am I consistently putting for the time and effort necessary to build this relationship?”

If you are sporadically reaching out to your network with no real rhyme or reason, you are making it extremely difficult to stay at the forefront of their minds. If you find yourself reaching out to them only when they have a job posting, when you want an introduction to someone in their network or simply too infrequently to have an impact – you’re probably sabotaging your own efforts.

You shouldn’t be popping up and appearing when you need something and then disappearing not to be heard from again. There must be a method do your madness. Use your Outlook® calendar for reminders well into the future. Or, create a spreadsheet listing your most valuable contacts and track how often you reach out to them and the results of that contact. You may find that you’re spending too much time on some relationships and not enough time on others. Be strategic and ensure that you are consistently staying on the radars of the power players in your network. Retire the “Now you see me; now you don’t” routine.