In recent years, college grads, career changers, and other job seekers have found social media to be a powerful tool for obtaining a dream job. While having skills and education are important for meeting the requirements of a job description, actually connecting with a potential employer is just as important. Through an effective social media campaign, you can increase your chances of landing a great job. Here’s how:
Learning the Ropes
While you may use social media to keep in touch with friends, used in a more professional way, social media can help you land a great job. One important step you want to take is to join professional networking sites like LinkedIn. At this highly regarded site, you can post your resume and read discussion forums on a topic related to your field. Many companies also have a profile on LinkedIn so you can do research about prospective employers on the site as well. See: http://www.linkedin.com.
Following a company’s Twitter feed may be another good way to engage in the process of becoming more professionally connected. Some job seekers purchase their own domain name and begin a website devoted to the job search. A multi-faceted approach is best. Companies will use their social media outlets to post information about their company, so engage in as many ways as possible. This will increase your chances of landing a great job.
Social Media Doesn’t Trump Experience
While many creative job seekers may identify a company they want to work for and conduct extensive social media research, in a tough job market that is not enough. In order to land the job of your dreams, you will need to have the experience to back up even the most creative pitches and impressive degrees.
One option to obtain the experience you need is to volunteer through the professional organization in your field. Most professional organizations have a website that lists volunteer opportunities, as well as internships. Some professionals work part-time in a job somewhat related to their field while working out a volunteer schedule to make up for additional experience. Attending a local chapter meeting for your professional organization is an excellent way to identify a mentor who can coach you through your job search. A mentor can help you identify additional ways to build experience while conducting a comprehensive job search.
Maximize Your Efforts
If you are a college graduate, your alumni association or campus career office is free resource with lucrative job hunting potential. Many college career offices engage in social media so if that is an option you can link your profile and resume to those sites. While job searching, it is important to maintain a regular schedule. You may find that you use your job search hours more efficiently if you go to a library, coffee shop, or other location where you can get out of the house and keep active in the process. Engaging in an online class both for additional information and for networking might be another option, especially for career changers.
While you want to utilize every social media network possible to boost your professional image and employability, you also want to balance that with human networking. Being involved in a civic group, professional organization, social club, or another form of extracurricular activity will keep you connected to a larger community. You never know who you will meet when volunteering or attending a civic function. Be sure to have simple business cards ready which contain all of your contact information and keep a few extra resumes and cover letters in the car just in case.
Think outside the Box
Even when you are using several different social media tools, you can always find some new creative way to think outside the box when promoting yourself for a job. For instance, your resume may look great, but if verbal communication and a big personality are what set you apart, consider creating a DVD or YouTube video to impress potential employers.
Maybe you are already interacting with a company using its Facebook page, but consider increasing the quality of your posts. If you have “liked” several companies on Facebook in the past, consider posting more thoughtful and pertinent comments to a few each week. You may already have a LinkedIn account, but you might not have started to ask for references. Even a supervisor for volunteer work related to your field can post a recommendation for you on LinkedIn.
Another important aspect of a job search is to remember to follow up. If you send in a resume and have not heard anything a few weeks after the job announcement closes, send a follow-up letter re-stating your interest in the job. Also, remember to send thank you notes after formal or informal meetings with mentors or others who may have helped you in your job search. It is good business etiquette and also helps keep the connection fresh. Staying active in the job search, getting out and meeting people, and creating networking experiences for yourself, give you interesting topics to blog about.
Eyes on the Prize
In today’s highly competitive job market it is essential that job seekers use every available tool to increase the chances of securing employment. Social media can be a powerful key for any professional looking to land a dream job. Taking the time to put a strategy in place to use social media in an intelligent and creative way can shorten the job search and expose you to great new contacts.
Engaging in networking that involves face-to-face interactions as well as social media interactions will help you build the people skills and other vital experience necessary to excel at a job. Landing your dream job may take time and patience. But with the help of social media you can market yourself like never before and build professional connections that can last a lifetime.
This article was submitted by University Alliance, on behalf of the University of San Francisco’s online program. They offer a variety of certification opportunities, including a master certificate in internet marketing and a specialized certificate in advanced social media training.
