(1) Using LinkedIn To Market Yourself In Your Job Search
Social media is a crucial component of the modern job search and LinkedIn is a valuable tool. It allows you to make connections not only with recruiters, employers, professionals but to get yourself (your brand) out there to be noticed. Below are some helpful tips when using LinkedIn:
• When including a photo of yourself, make it a professional-quality headshot that shows you to best advantage (not a party photo).
• Update your status at least once per week year-round, to seem more passionate about your career — and to avoid setting off alarm bells with your boss that you're seeking greener pastures.
• Join and participate in at least three career-useful industry groups.
• Get 10 or more recommendations, to ensure that you look like a top candidate, especially recs from executives, managers, clients, or suppliers. Scratch-my-back recommendations are easily spotted and don't carry as much impact.
• Line up at least 150 connections, to increase your chances of having first-degree connections in places you want to work.
(2) Incorporate Your Online/Email Contacts In Your Job Search
Once you have finished your online profiles whether it be LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook etc, it’s important that you upload your online & email contacts to those accounts. Don’t upload any that won’t benefit your job search & keep your personal contacts separate. Having these job search contacts included in your online profiles will allow you to quickly contact the relevant source quickly to see how they can help you apply for a job, introduce you to someone or help with your research.
(3) Check Out The Competition
Spend a few hours looking over your competition's profiles and portfolios on social media websites. What are your overall impressions of each individual? Good, bad, so-so? What changes would make each person more appealing? Keep a list of pros and cons to guide you in preparing or developing your own checklist for social profiles/presentations.
There are some job seekers go social with an online work portfolio. If this is something that appeals to you, there are services online that allow you to create one from templates to showcase your accomplishments, skills, career history etc. If you do create one, have a link to it on all your social media profiles.
(4) Ask You Facebook Friends For Help With Your Job Search
Facebook accounts are used majority for personal & social reasons which is why a lot of the people we know on it are friends. Some job seekers use Facebook to connect with companies & recruiters while others just for their friends. If you use Facebook then you need to check your privacy settings. Firstly, you might not want employers or recruiters seeing your Facebook due to it being for personal issues only so make sure you have adjust your privacy settings. Secondly, even if your Facebook is for personal use only, don’t be afraid to ask your friends for either job leads or help.
(5) Include Variety In Your Connections/Contacts
When using social media, one advantage is having a variety of contacts/connections on whatever platform you are using. Besides making connections with leading professionals & recruiters linked with your chosen industry profession, it be wise to make more connections such as mentors/job coaches, industry groups/associations and other job seekers even if they from other industries. Other job seekers from other industries can provide diverse advice or inform you of diverse recruitment styles.
The important thing, you chose the diverse contacts that you feel will benefit your job search. Everyone’s job search is different, so make sure when making your connections it is to help a purpose in your job search!