Social Media as an Effective Job Search Tool

Presented by Michele Martinwww.discoverabilitynj.org

@michelemmartin

I’m Michele

Our Agenda

• Today’s Hiring Environment• Personal Branding Online (including privacy)• Social Media for Finding Job Leads and

Researching Companies• Job Board Do’s and Don’ts• Google Tools for Organizing the Job Search

THE HIRING ENVIRONMENT

Promoting from Within

Less Pressure to Hire

Multiple Hiring

Sources

Too Many Applicants

Employers and Social Media

Employers Use Social Media To. . .

1. Screen applicants (mostly out)2. Announce job openings3. Source qualified applicants

Implications for Job Seekers

• Need positive online presence/ “brand”• Join and participate in online networks to

make connections and “be seen.” • Utilize social media to find job leads– Networking/referrals– Job postings

Social Media and Personal Branding

Elements of the Brand

• Personal Appearance• Competencies• Personality &

Attitude• “Differentiators”• Personal Parameters

The “Big 4”

Can I Count On You?

Are You Qualified?

Will You Fit In?

Will You Stand Out?

Communicating Your Online Brand

• LinkedIn• Facebook• Twitter• Online Portfolio (Wiki)

• Professional social network

• Way to research businesses and individuals

• Professional “branding” opportunity

Basics

1. Sign Up for an Account

2. Create Your Profile

3. Add New Sections

Your Profile

• Complete the entire profile!• Upload a professional photo• Have a great headline• Highlight accomplishments, not

responsibilities• Set Profile to “Public” • Link to other online tools (Twitter, Slideshare,

etc.)

4. Get Recommendations

Requesting a Recommendation

• Select carefully• Send personalized request• Provide some guidance on what they should

highlight for your job search• Try GIVING one first!

5. Make Connections!

6. Meet their connections. . .

Building Your Network• Join and participate in Groups—great way to get to

people for connections!

• Be a good “neighbor”--update your status, share articles, make referrals, give advice.

• Ask for introductions from your 1st level contacts to get to 2nd and 3rd level connections.

• For 3rd level connections, join groups they belong to and interact via the group

7. Interact!

• Update status with professional info/announcements

• Review newsfeed and comment/respond to activity.

• Join groups and respond to discussions.• Share links to online resources that are useful

to your network/profession.

1. Clean up “digital dirt”2. Project positive image

Facebook Posting

• Remove all photos that are not “professional”• Untag yourself in photos that are

unprofessional.• Review timeline and delete posts/comments

that reflect poorly in job search• Review Fan Pages you’ve “liked” and “unlike”

inappropriate pages• Review apps/games

Facebook Privacy

• You have to choose privacy• If you need to go on “Lock Down”– Settings at “Friends” or “Only Me” (through

“custom” in settings page) for posting– Limit audiences for past posts– Disable public search – Disable searches by email address

Positive Strategies

• Use status updates to connect, let people know about job search, comment on professional issues.

• Revise profile to emphasize professional/ educational accomplishments

• Share links/resources• Choose friends wisely• Join and get active in

groups and on Fan Pages that are connected to your profession and/or to companies that interest you

Personal Brands on Twitter

Twitter for Branding

• Professional photo/background• Share professional resources with followers• Provide tips, advice, etc. • Connect people• RT and DM people• Participate in #chats

Wiki Portfolio

Wikispaces.com

• Can upload documents and images• Can embed PowerPoint, video• Use to share:– Introductory video– Work samples– Certificates– Recommendations

Finding Job Leads

http://www.google.com/alerts

Keywords

• Names of companies • Names of key people in organization• Industries• Key skills/certifications• Industry trends

More Ideas

• Search for all target companies to see if you have 1st or 2nd level contacts.

• Search for people with your skills in industry you are targeting to see where they work.

• Build “weak” ties—more likely to give you leads.

• Strengthen weak ties to strong ties—will go to bat for you.

Finding Leads on Facebook

• Company Fan Pages• Job Board Pages• Facebook Applications• Networking with friends

BEWARE—You’re mixing personal/professional on Facebook!

Twitjobsearch.com

Tweetmyjobs.com

#hashtags

Researching Companies

Why Research?

• Who’s in your network?• Customized job search tools• Interview prep• Culture match

Company Search

Company Profiles

Company Profiles

Other Options

• Google Alerts for target companies• Company Career websites• Twitter—company and hiring managers• Fan Pages

Job Boards

The Challenges

• Many openings outdated• Multiple postings for one opening• Too much competition• Employers find least qualified applicants here• Employers using boards less

Disability “Niche” Boards

• Pros– More targeted to people

with disabilities

• Cons– Disability first, person

second– May be advertised to

satisfy EEOC/ADA requirements

– Only a subset of available jobs

Tips• Don’t spend a lot of time on boards—LEAST

effective form of job search• Use boards primarily for research• Search locally and specifically• Use industry/occupational “niche” boards

where possible• Find lead:– Do you know someone at the company?

– Go directly to company website to apply

LinkedIn Companion

Online Job Scams

• Company asks you to share personal, credit card or bank info, including SSN, bank account info, etc.

• You’re asked to send money• You’re offered a job without an application,

interview, etc. • Company email is not a primary domain (e.g.

“OmegaInc@hotmail.com”)

Organizing the Job Search

Some Tools

• Gmail• Google Drive• Google Calendar

Priority Inbox

Gmail Labels

Gmail Tasks

Commenting

Sharing

Editing

FORMS

Other Features

• Share calendars with others• Invite people to add item to their calendars• Have reminders sent to cell phone• Set to automatically email daily agenda each

morning• Embed calendars in other websites• Can enable attachments to events