Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

The Three Things A Job Seeker Must Know to Use Social Networking as a Job Search Tool

The Three Things A Job Seeker Must Know to Use Social Networking as a Job Search Tool

Social Networking (Web 2.0)

The buzz about it is unbelievable. Are you wondering why? It's because using social networking can be the key to your positioning yourself as an expert in your field. By blogging or using sites like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter, you can reach hundreds or even thousands of people that you never would have had access to otherwise.

If you are in a search for more meaningful work, how can you use these sites in your job search? I must admit I have been asking myself that question quite a bit. I don't pretend to be an expert at these sites as yet but I do have three suggestions that will insure that you get off to a good start.

Is it right for you and your job search?

First take some time to see where social networking fits into your search for more meaningful work and your job search plan. Are you going to add one more networking techniques to your current mix of networking options?

It takes time to get to know the basics of the different social networking sites. You can't just dabble in social networking and expect results. It requires a time commitment. Do you have the time to consistently spend an hour or so a day investigating the various sites, reading up on the sites you are interested in and then trying one or two out?

Give to Get

You might have already noticed that in general self promotion is frowned on in social networking and the web in general. A social network provides a place for people to get to know you. The way that you do that is by giving them something of value - a tip, a quote, an idea, news etc.

What is your Strategy?

So now if after considering it you decide that social networking is for you, then you'll want to make sure you have a strategy and focus. Do the people you are targeting use social networking? Your target could be employers, employees of your target companies, or people doing the kind of meaningful work you have an interest in. How will you get your targets to find you and once they do, what do you want them to do and how will you know they have done it?

As an example I have been using Twitter to announce the publication of my newsletters. I use my newsletters to attract people interested in finding work that is more meaningful. I can see by my web statistics that more people are reading my newsletter online and signing up for it since I began to do that. Is it worth it? Since my newsletter list host automatically notifies Twitter, I spend no extra time doing it. The additional readers are definitely worth it to me.

You must decide for yourself what your strategy is and what result you want. When choosing an action, always consider the time and/or money involved and the impact (result) you expect.

Does it fit your brand?

The third step is to remember your personal brand or image and make sure that there is nothing you do in social networking that inadvertently discredits or changes that image. This is extremely important. Ask yourself, "Does this picture or message enhance or detract from my brand?" Unless your messages are consistent with your brand and image, you will confuse or worse alienate your target.

Most of us started with these various sites because friends invited us to join them. Now may be the right time to give social networking a more serious focus. If so devote the time you need to decide if it is right for you and your market, develop a strategy, and make your messages consistent with your brand.

Take action

1. Comment on blogs - One good way to get started with blogs is to read and comment on other people's blogs. You can establish a name for yourself that way as well.

2. Put your toe in the water. A LinkedIn profile is easy to set up and worth the effort for a job hunter. Take the time to complete the profile in detail. Recruiters and hiring managers often search LinkedIn for candidates for jobs.

3. Got a list? There are many social networks besides Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. These are three that are generally accepted for business. There may be others specific to your job or industry. Do a Google search to find them.





The Three Things A Job Seeker Must Know to Use Social Networking as a Job Search Tool - To learn more about this author, visit Alvah Parker's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
John Alexander
John has taught keyword research and SEO skills to small groups of business owners and Webmasters from over 80 different countries world wide since 2002. John is also the Director of Search Engine Academy ; Co-director of Training at Search Engine Workshops offering live, SEO Workshops with his partner SEO educator Robin Nobles, author of the very first comprehensive online search engine marketing courses at SEO Training Online and the SEO Workshop Resource Center.
I look forward to hearing from you! - Visit John Alexander's Website

Anne Barr
Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website

Stephanie Robey
Stephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals.

She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com   Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences.  Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University.

Read Steph's Blog
Meet Steph and Dave
Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich
- Visit Stephanie Robey's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Alvah Parker
(Visit Alvah's Website) Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys’ Coach) and a Career Changers’ Coach as well as publisher of "Parker’s Points", an email tip list and "Road to Success", an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website http://www.asparker.com/samples.htm l Alvah Parker began her career as a high school chemistry teacher. She later transition to a sales career at AT&T. As a Sales Professional at AT&T for 15 years she was elected to the prestigious Counsel of Leaders for the top 3% of the sales force. After leaving AT&T she transitioned into a coaching career and also volunteers as a SCORE Business Counselor where she advises and counsels small business owners. Parker’s Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are attorneys and people in transition who want to find work that is in line with their own life purpose. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.

Alvah Parker is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Alvah Parker's

Complete
List Of
Business-Coach
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Alvah Parker's Complete List of Business-Coach Articles For FREE!

More Alvah Parker
Top Ten Ways to Manage Interruptions
10 Ideas about Life Purpose
The Top Ten Client Feedback Questions
Are You Doing Meaningful Work
Ten Tips for Being a Productive Team Member for Attorneys
Making Active Choices The Key to Success
10 Ways To Develop a Free Agent Attitude
Rest Relaxation and Recreation
A born salesperson
Ten Tips For Becoming More Self Assertive
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
David Acheson  
John Alexander  
Dave Kurlan  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Networking Impacts Income Icon Networking Impacts Income
Vertical Market Ad Network Icon Vertical Market Ad Network
Managing Generations Icon Managing Generations
Business Owner Guide Icon Business Owner Guide
Find & Keep Profitable Clients Icon Find & Keep Profitable Clients
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top 50 Political Blogs
Top Political Blogs of 2009
 
Top 50 Productivity Blogs To Watch In 2009
Top 50 Productivity Blogs
Top Blogs To Watch In 2009
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Francisco Jorge Fombe Boane, Maputo, Mozambique,
Francisco Jorge Fombe
Boane, Maputo, Mozambique
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Jonathan Voigt, $214k to $507k in 2 years
Jonathan Voigt
$214k to $507k in 2 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh , $516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
John Zarei and Shaan Parekh
$516k to $1.5 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Elon Musk, PayPal
Elon Musk
PayPal
Simon Cowell, American Idol
Simon Cowell
American Idol
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Jay Conrad Levinson, Guerilla Marketing
Jay Conrad Levinson
Guerilla Marketing
Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start
Guy Kawasaki
The Art of the Start
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     ROI vs Return on Relationships syndrome
By Michel Amour
     Effective Coaching and YOU
By Michel Amour
     Rolling with the punches or rolling out?
By Michel Amour

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information