Using Social Media to Find Your Next Job
Why wait until the next happy hour or networking event you attend? What if you could make powerful, professional, network-building connections every day? By effectively using social media, you can. Social media is a great way for you to stand out from other applicants, but it can also remove you from contention from your dream position. Here are some tips on using social media to network:
Twitter: Twitter is a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader in a community
LinkedIn: LinkedIn should act as your online resume.
GovLoop: GovLoop was created to connect professionals in government, so it is not unusual to "friend" someone after joining them in a discussion or commenting on their blog.
Facebook: Facebook is by far the most sensitive when it comes to networking, because it is inherently more personal.
Discussion started by Robin , on 432 days ago
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I agree Pierre that LinkedIn is a "professional friend" network. But when you think about how many jobs are not advertised, or how people who work for themselves secure new business, it does stand true that many of those opportunities are "hidden" opportunities. The adage - it's not what you know but who you know, stands true in my experience.
Thank you very much. I really like your point of view on Twitter. It seems obvious that Facebook profiles should be relatively hidden and private. However, although LinkedIn should work towards linking these people that might not be linked in real life, it seems that so far the LinkedIn network remains a 'professional friend' network.
Students are finding the social media networks most helpful in not only finding their first job, but also their second. They follow on twitter to demonstrate currency of knowledge - not only to be followed; they lock down their Facebook making them private so prospective employers have limited viewing; and they "link" with lecturers and networks they have formed when undertaking work experience opportunities in their chosen field. This approach appears to have a degree of success if the student is going into communications, media or marketing disciplines. As for your question regarding LinkedIn, the system of being referred brings an etiquette to online networking. When you network F2F, someone introduces you, or acts as a referral. LinkedIn's system appears to successfully replicate that style of interaction and credibility within the online environment.
To what extent is it true for students? For example Twitter, how can you be followed because of your knowledge and not of your friendship?
I have also got a question about LinkedIn, many professionals are on it but the information that you get is solely from the people that you know, the reason why this could be useful is to know the action of your friends' friends - how can we change that so everybody can develop links with these people once or twice removed?
I have also got a question about LinkedIn, many professionals are on it but the information that you get is solely from the people that you know, the reason why this could be useful is to know the action of your friends' friends - how can we change that so everybody can develop links with these people once or twice removed?
