The strategies for job searching have never been as broad as they are today. An ever-increasing route for finding work is through online social networking. The potential for multiple connections abound for those who use tools like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Job openings can appear on a person’s daily status updates, depending on which pages he has subscribed to. When a person’s friends know he’s in search of a new job adventure, they may easily forward leads to him via Facebook messaging, his inbox, or even through Retweets on Twitter. LinkedIn offers its members the option of being notified about positions that seem to pertain to their personal profile.
Protect Your Reputation
While online social networking opens up new possibilities for job searchers, it also poses potential risks. Protecting your online image has never been more important. One thing you’ll want to do before sending out your resume is to Google search your name and to check the results. A potential employer may do just that, and you sure don’t want him finding anything less than favourable.
When creating Tweets in Twitter, it is essential they reflect the image, or even the “brand” that you want portrayed. Twitter updates are visible to anyone. Ensure you have added the proper privacy settings to your Facebook account, especially where photos (as well as tagged photos), are concerned. Stylize your LinkedIn portfolio with authentic information, choosing your connections wisely.
If you’re in the habit of making comments to news articles or blog posts, or if you like to write online reviews, you might want to do it anonymously, unless these types of comments enhance your reputation.
Ensure any blog you write reflects the right image. You might want to put viewing restrictions on your blog if you think it may pose a problem.
Tailor Your Application
With the flexibility of computer-use today, there should be no one-size fits all resume. Fortunately, most businesses have detailed websites for easy access to information. You can’t go wrong by investigating a bit about the companies you might be interested in. The information you check out online may tip you off as to whether you’re a good match for a company or not.
Once you’ve narrowed down a job to apply to, tailor your resume to suit the requirements of the position being offered. Write your resume and covering letter or email in a similar tone as they have. Use similar keywords to those they?ve used throughout their website content or in the ad itself. In other words, try to speak their language.
Never embellish the truth, but do style your resume to emphasize the most applicable skills or experience you have that relates to the position.
Today, online social networking is a terrific tool not only for use by the job seeker, but employers as well. Your web presence can work for you if done well. Companies can use online utilities to find the top-notch talent they’re looking for.
Be assured that chances are high that you will be scrutinized through your web presence as part of the hiring procedure. Be very careful about what type of web presence you have and that you continue to create. Maintain the sites you appear on, and check through your friend’s sites to ensure they aren’t exposing you in ways you’d rather not be exposed.
Social networking can work for you or against you in seeking to land the job of your dreams. Be wise and be alert as you use social networking tools.
– Joy R. Calderwood