Using Social Media for Professional Networking

Shaundra WalkerHead of Reference

Hunt Memorial Library, Fort Valley State University

Georgia Council of Media Organizations ConferenceOctober 8, 2009

Columbus, GA

OverviewGrowth of Social NetworkingPersonal BrandingLeveraging the Power of Social Media for

Professional NetworkingLinkedInFacebookVisualCV

My Personal ExperienceQuestions, Comments, Discussion

Social Networking: Not Just for KidsOne third (35%) of American adults over 35

have a profile on a social networking web siteFour times as many as three years ago51% of social network users have two or

more online profiles (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)19% have multiple profiles to separate

personal and professional-Lenhart, Amanda. “Adults and Social Networking Sites”. Pew Internet

and American Life Project

Why Social Media for Professional Networking?AffordabilityEase of accessLow learning curveNetworks as aggregator

Concerns About Using Social MediaPrivacyUnsolicited and unwelcome “friends”Maintaining a Professional Image

Your Personal BrandThe process by which we market ourselves to

othersYou have a personal brand, whether your

actively involved in shaping it our notYour online brand is an extension of your

personal brand:Email addressWeb Search resultsSocial network identities

•Over 48 million users•170 industries•200 countries•Company profiles•Personal profiles

Education Experience Contact Info

•Limited # of apps

Company Profiles•Identify key employees•Find people you know•Key Statistics•New hiresPopular profiles

Applications•Enrich your profile•Add additional functionality beyond the basics

GroupsConnect with:1. Professional

organizations2. Alumni networks

Leveraging the Power of LinkedInConnect with colleagues

Co-WorkersProfessional Committee Members

Share information about projects and activities

Expand your networkResearch Companies and IndividualsSee who you know in commonGet IntroducedMake Connections

Tips & TricksCreate at least a basic listingInclude a summary – “Online Elevator Speech”Connect with Facebook “Professional” friendsJoin Groups

Professional AssociationsAlumni Groups

Link Out and Feed InVisualCVBlogLibrary or Faculty Web SiteTwitter

Add profile link to email signature

FacebookLargest of the social networks175 million users and growing>30 – fastest growing groupConnects users around common interests

Leveraging the Power of FacebookUse to locate and

follow-up with professional friends

Share and receive information of value

Stay in touch with geographically dispersed colleagues

Identify and build on personal and professional interests

Tips & TricksUse Friend ListsUse Privacy SettingsTurn off Public ProfileCheck Applications’ AccessShare Useful InformationInclude links to:

LinkedIn ProfileVisualCVBlog, faculty/staff web page, library web site,

twitter

Family/Social Friend View

Professional Friend View

VisualCVPersonal brand managementReal-time CVLink to:

PresentationsWeb SitesRich Media Library TutorialsLetters of Recommendation

“LinkedIn in HD”

UsesOnline ResumeJob SearchingProfessional NetworkingCompany Research

Leveraging the Power of VisualCVCreate different cv’s

for different purposesEmphasize skills and

proficienciesShare on other social

networksAdd link to your email

signatureReview statistics

Tips and TricksUpdate frequently

PresentationsAccomplishments

EnrichLinks to web sites,

library guidesRich media (flash

simulations) tutorialsPhotosVideo

Taking It a Step FurtherGoogle yourselfKeep profiles fresh – review and update

frequentlyCreate once – publish everywhere (blog/feed)Consume and share

My Personal ExperienceStaying in-touch with colleaguesStaying connected with the profession

Contact Mehttp://www.linkedin.com/in/shaundrawalkerhttp://www.visualcv.com/shaundrawalkerhttp://www.twitter.com/shaundrawalker

walkers01@fvsu.edu