How Online Networking Can Help Your Virtual Self Get The Job You Want

Copyright © 2013, Distinctive Career Services, LLC

Conventional business wisdom holds that without a comprehensive online strategy, your business is like a shark that stops swimming: It sinks slowly and lifelessly to the bottom of the sea. Online presence is critical to commercial success.

Interestingly, the same can be said for your job search.  If you don’t engage in online networking (e.g., use social networking sites (SNS) to look for work, all prospective employers will be left with is your resume which, like that shark, will sink slowly and lifelessly to the bottom (in this case, the bottom of the stack and, ultimately, the waste basket).

“ Joey Price, CEO of Jumpstart: HR, once put it very simply:  “It’s not what you know, and it’s not who you know; it’s who knows what you can do.” Online networking (including use of social media)

is the most effective tool for expanding your circle of contacts and, with it, your sphere of influence. “

We can’t stress enough how important creating a broad and deep a network is.  Too often we see individuals limit themselves by not including certain people because they’re not perceived to be a source of potential job leads. Just remember that you know people who know people who know people.  The more people you interact with, the more people will know what you can do.

 The larger the circle of contacts, the greater the

likelihood that people you don’t even know may become interested in what you have to

offer, possibly leading to a potential job opportunity from

a completely unexpected source.

* Plan the plan.  Formulate

your online networking

strategy.  Determine which SNS

you’ll be using. What

industry/career/profession

interests you and which social

media modalities are they likely

to use? Honestly assess whether

you’re comfortable with online

networking.  If you’re not, you

probably shouldn’t set any goals

for social media interaction that

will be a struggle for you to

meet (always minimize

opportunities for stress and

negativity in your online

networking plan.

So, what are some of the easy action steps you can take now to put social

media and online networking to work for your job search?  Here are a few

suggestions:

* Who are you?  What we mean is, who are you online?  Have you conducted an online search of yourself?  You should.  Google (or Bing) yourself.  Do you currently have an online presence?  If so, is it one that you’re okay with or do the search results point to some personal information you’d just as soon prospective employers not see?  If so, do something about it!  Tighten the privacy settings of your Facebook account, for example.

89%* Build an online profile.  It’s estimated that 89 percent of companies use social media to recruit.  Set up a complete LinkedIn profile and get the word out that you have one.  Search for people you know as well as people in the industry/profession in which you’d like to work.  The more connections you establish, the more effective your online networking will be.

* Communicate.  Reply.  Retweet.  Repeat.  Set up a Twitter account and use it.  Follow industry accounts and those of your peers/friends/professional contacts.  Twitter is highly interactive sointeract.  Become someone known for being interesting, one who shares information and viewpoints about your area(s) of expertise.

* There’s nothing wrong with writing.  If you write well, write often.  Blog about things that are related to what you want others to know you know.  Your content may actually be more attention-getting than anything on your resume and gives prospective employers insight into what you can contribute.

The Internet’s Résumé & Career Marketing Specialists…Since 1996www.distinctiveweb.com resumes@distinctiveweb.com (800) 644-9694 Copyright © 2013, Distinctive Career Services, LLC

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected professional résumé writing firms on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with résumés that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider résumé writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now to www.distinctiveweb.com

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