Using Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites are becoming one of the most effective networking tools for people who are looking for a job. In order for online social networking to become a viable job search tool for you, you need to make sure your online presence is professional. This means adapting your current Facebook (or MySpace) content, creating a separate, professional Facebook profile, or using a business-oriented social networking site like LinkedIn.com.
Using your social network is a great way to connect with people who might have helpful career or job information or contacts. In addition, more and more employers are searching the Web for personal information prior to making interview invitations or employment offers. This is why it is so important for you as a job seeker to make sure that your presence online (your “brand”) is what you want employers to see.
Using Facebook
Here are ways to make a Facebook profile work for you as a job seeker:
- Include your school and expected graduation date
- List majors, minors and/or concentrations
- Include extracurricular activities and work experiences (as you would list on a resume)
- Take the “about me” section to boast about your qualifications and skills
- In your album, place pictures that show you in leadership positions, accepting awards, presenting professionally and participating in community activities
- Groups: join groups that are career oriented or concerned with current or social issues
- Wall: use the wall as a “reference” list. Have people write positive comments on your abilities and successes
- Read through your Facebook profile and delete content that could raise questions about your maturity or damage your reputation. If you’ve made comments on other peoples’ pages, check those too.
- Eliminate any revealing or disparaging photos of yourself. Share questionable photos with friends through email instead.
- A lewd or derogatory comment in a comment section can be just as damaging as a compromising photo, so watch what you say. This includes dirty jokes, bad language, or drinking references.
- Make sure friends have not “tagged” your site with photos you would not want others to see. Consider blocking comments, since you have no control over what people post.
- 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know
- Facebook and Job Search Privacy Tips
Using LinkedIn
In a LinkedIn profile, all you see is professional information. The purpose of the site is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in their career field. The people in the list are called Connections. Users can invite anyone (whether a site user or not) to become a connection. This list of connections can then be used in a number of ways:
- A contact network is built up consisting of direct connections, the connections of each of their connections (termed second-degree connections) and also the connections of second-degree connections (termed third-degree connections). This can be used to gain an introduction to someone a person wishes to know through a mutual, trusted contact.
- It can then be used to find jobs, people and career opportunities recommended by someone in one's contact network.
Here are some guidelines for using LinkedIn to find a job-or have a job find you:
- Create a Profile. Create a detailed profile, including employment, education, leadership roles, extracurricular activities and community service. You can think of your LinkedIn profile as your online resume.
- Consider a photo (a headshot is recommended, or upload a larger photo and edit it.) Note that it should not be larger than 80x80 pixels.
- Keywords and Skills. Include all your resume keywords and skills in your profile, so your profile will be found in searches.
- Build Your Network. Connect with other members and build your network. The more connections you have, the more opportunities you have. However, connect only to people you know and trust or have a professional relationship with.
- Get recommendations. Recommendations from people you have worked with or can speak to your skills in a work setting carry a lot of weight.
- Search Jobs. Use the job search section to find job listings.
- Use Answers. The Answers section of LinkedIn is a good way to increase your visibility. Respond to questions and ask a question if you need information or assistance.
- http://grads.linkedin.com/
- http://learn.linkedin.com/
Developing Your Online Brand
Your “brand” is simply the online image you are showing the world; it is what comes up when someone Googles your name. Because an increasing number of employers indicate they research candidates on Google or another search engine, it is important to ensure that all your public communications are professional and that information about you online is visible, available and relevant to where you are in your career and where you want to go next.
Here are some strategies to build your brand:
- Email. Your email address and instant messenger screen name(s) should be professional and should include a signature that includes your phone number, so, it's easy for employers to contact you. One way to avoid mixing business with pleasure is to have a dedicated email address and screen name that you use just for job searching.
- Google and other search engines. Google yourself to see what information people can find about you on the Internet. Make sure that what you find is appropriate for a potential employer to read. You might be surprised at what's there!
- Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites. Believe it or not, employers do check these sites. Take a look at your profile, your pictures, and who is linked from your site and vice versa. You want to make sure that your site helps to build your brand, not destroy it. It is possible to have two profiles, one which is private and the other, professional.
- Blogs. If you have a blog, is there anything that you wouldn't want an employer or a colleague to read? Whether you write about your interviews, your current job, or your personal life, don't forget to review all your online information when job searching, because any potential employer could find it. If you have friends who write about you, check to make sure what they are writing is appropriate.
- Build a web site. Consider building a web site to create and showcase your brand, featuring your résumé, portfolio and academic background. Many web hosting services have built-in web building tools and it’s quick and easy to build a site that reflects your background, experiences and career goals.
- Get your name out there. Try to meet, either online or in person, people in your field. Send them an email or a message via their web site or networking profile. Make comments on other people’s blogs, write an article or post some of your research or creative work on appropriate sites.
- Use the same photo. Use the same photo on all networking sites, web sites and blogs that you use. (A headshot is recommended.) That visual effect will help build your brand. You can create a Facebook Badge (click on the link at the bottom of your profile) that you can add to your web site and networking sites.
- How to Ensure Employers Can Find You