The one thing I may add is about Social Media. For example, it’s never too early to create a LinkedIn profile. Be very strategic on the postings and pictures and understand that they become a reflection of you. A social media search is done by both company and campus recruiters. I have not hired someone who seemed like a perfect candidate because their Facebook page was horrible. Profanity everywhere. For example, lewd photos posted with alcohol, drunkenness, etc.
We now live in the world of the 24-hour professional day. Everything you say and do is on the internet and can be searched by your clients, colleagues, mentors and prospective employees.
The Basics
Social media is a key player in the job search process today. It allows employers to get a glimpse of who you are outside the confines of a résumé, cover letter, or interview. It offers job seekers the opportunity to learn about companies they’re interested in. You can connect with current and former employees and hear about job openings instantaneously, among other things.
You don’t just communicate your personal brand in person. You should communicate your brand online as well. A profile hub can serve as a central point for all your online activity. It can include your blog or website as well as your Twitter account, photo gallery, and so on. Content for your profile may include:
- A brief bio about who you are
- Links to your social media sites (such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and business fan pages)
- The name, products, and/or services of your business
- If appropriate, your key clients
- Your education
- Special features that enhance your personal brand, such as a favorite quote or testimonial
- Videos highlighting who you are and what you do
- Your photo
- Links to or PDF versions of articles you’ve written, slides, or other visuals you’ve produced
Popular profile hubs include:
LinkedIn: This site helps you build effective business relationships based on nurturing the “know, like, and trust” factor. If you are just beginning to think about using online tools to showcase your personal brand to your business and social networks, begin with LinkedIn.
Facebook: Facebook helps you tell your story in ways that connect, inform, and entertain. This allows you to navigate the gentle balance of being social while also sharing enough of your personal brand to offer a satisfying taste of what others experience when they meet you in person. But, as your mother always told you, “be careful who you hang out with”! Your community of choice makes an impression.
Google+: This social media site integrates several social services such as Google Profiles and Google Buzz, as well as the services Circles, Hangouts, and Sparks.
Choose a Section:
In an article in Forbes.com, Brad Schepp, co-author of How to Find a Job On LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+, shared tips for finding a job using social networking sites. Here’s what he suggests:
Create Relevant Profiles
Build compelling, professional profiles for yourself that include your job history. LinkedIn is an obvious place for such a profile but Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and others are also sites where you can include this kind of information. Make sure profiles are free of typos, information is applicable to your desired job and your photos present you in a favorable light. The information you provide online about your job background, strengths and accomplishments should be consistent. Don’t assume an employer will only be checking you out on LinkedIn. The story you tell on each site should be pretty much the same.
Be Engaged
Follow companies in your field on LinkedIn and Twitter so you’re automatically notified about new hires, product developments and other news. “Like” companies you’re interested in and join the conversation about industry trends on Facebook. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and value to a potential employer.
Network
Connect with others in your desired industry. LinkedIn’s Groups are an excellent place to do this. Search the directory to find Groups in your industry, join those that appear especially active and then introduce yourself to the other members. Build your social capital by becoming known as a source for insightful content.
Be Known As A Resource
Help out others by answering questions, making introductions and linking to content. If you regularly answer questions on LinkedIn and provide links to great content on Facebook and Twitter, you are again building social capital. As a guide, try to give 4 times for every time you take.
Don’t Ask for a Job
Keep your name in front of people in a position to help your career. And no, you still shouldn’t ask people outright for a job. Make connections with the right people and let them see you are an intelligent, qualified candidate by updating your statuses several times a week, providing content to the groups you join and tweeting about that provocative article you just read.
Search for Jobs
Most people know about sites like Simply Hired or Indeed. There are several matching systems now specifically for individuals with disabilities: GettingHired.com, COSD on Line, RecruitDisability, The National Council on Business and Disability (NCBD), and The Sea Glass Group. Improve the odds in your favor by looking for jobs on company Twitter feeds, on Facebook pages and in LinkedIn Groups.
References:
Schepp, B. (2013). 7 Tips for Landing a Job Using Social Media, Forbes.com. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45hifm/7-tips-for-landing-a-job-using-social-media/
Smith, J. (2013). How Social Media Can Help (Or Hurt) You In Your Job Search, Forbes.com. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/04/16/how-social-media-can-help-or-hurt-your-job-search/
Crompton, D. and Sautter, E. (2010). Find a Job Through Social Networking: Use LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and More to Advance Your Career. St. Paul, MN: JIST Publishing
Schepp, B. and Schepp, D. (2012). How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ 2/E. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.