Using Social Media to Job Search

Laura LedgerwoodSocial Media Coordinator & Career

Consultant@UGACareerCenter @LedgerwoodLwww.ledgerwood.wordpress.com

Why should I use it to job search?

• Employers are using it

• Great way for you to build a network

• Good way for you to identify connections

• GREAT way to create connections

• Networking is the #1 way people find jobs

Other people aren’t using it to job search

The Hard Truth

Comparing the Big 3Pros Cons

- 1 billion users and counting

- Easy to navigate

- Privacy concerns- Major design changes

every year or so

- Best place to be as an active or inactive job seeker

- In depth statistics - Plug ins- HR uses this heavily

- Less personal- More difficult to figure

out

- Great listening tool- Real time information - Conversational

- High maintenance- Can get out of date

quickly

LinkedIn & the Job Search

YOUR GOAL

1. Create a Profile

2. Join Targeted Groups

3. Network with Professionals

4. Correspond appropriately

5. Maintain your network

Industry Groups

Alumni Groups

Is what you’re asking reasonable?

Groups

Company Pages

LinkedIn Profiles• Customize your header

to state your field, industry, or what you are seeking

• Add a brief summary and focus on concrete specialties – this can be found in advanced searches

• Include solid bullet points – skills, achievements, things you learned, results

• Re-order as appropriate

LinkedIn Profiles• Update your status

often – daily or weekly

• Seek out recommendations

• Customize your url

• Reorder your sections to highlight your most relevant experiences first

• Display groups you joined on your profile

• Show off your work!

LinkedIn Skills Section• Use keywords &

industry jargon

• Identify skills to add to your profile

• Targeted industry groups

• Professionals in the field

• Related companies and job listings

Finding Jobs within Groups

• 3 ways to find jobs

• Ask your networks for leads or advice

• Share information you find with your networks

• Give to get

• If you don’t know, ASK!!!

Sample LinkedIn Networking Message

Mr./Ms. [Last Name],

I’m a current student at Emmanuel College and am interested in pursuing a career in [their profession]. Do you have an advice or tips that you would be willing to share with me about your experience? If so, we could talk over the phone (555-883-8585) 10-15 minutes or I can be reached at jsmith@ymail.com if that’s more convenient. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time and considering doing this. If I can be of service to you, please let me know.

Best Regards,John

John SmithBBA Computer Information SystemsEmmanuel College May 2013jsmith@ymail.com555-883-8585

LinkedIn Etiquette• Have your profile 100% filled out

• Link ONLY to those you know directly

• Message members appropriately

• Actively participate in your groups

• Take advantage of your status updates

Facebook & the Job SearchProfile:-Include education-Add projects in your employment section-Monitor what information you are sharing

Networking:-“Like” pages-Join relevant groups-Subscribe to industry leaders

Facebook• Monitor

privacy

• Subscribe to businesses

• Post updates to stay connected

• Join groups and “like” pages

• BranchOut

Facebook Profile• Create a

customized “Cover”

• Go through your timeline

• Monitor what others have posted

• Use the “view as” button to check content visibility

Networking through Facebook

• See if they have a “Students”, “Careers” or “Jobs” tab

• Do not post “do you have an internship/job?”

• Share content on their wall or comment if appropriate

• “Like” their status updates or content

Facebook Etiquette• Do not “Facebook” your recruiter

• Only directly message someone you are connected to/have a networking contact

• Remember what is on your profile

• Don’t “text talk”

Twitter & the Job Search• Create a professional bio

Name, industry, area of specialty, certifications

• Identify industry leaders/ job leads• - www.listorious.com , www.twellow.com

• Search for jobs in the Twitter Search bar• “Retweet” useful tweets• Respond to what other users posts• Actively contribute to conversations

Sample Twitter Bios

Finding Information on Twitter

Organizing Information on Twitter

• Create targeted lists

• Consider who you follow

• “Favorite” Tweets

Twitter Etiquette• Follow as long as it isn’t private

• Don’t forget everyone can read your tweets if they aren’t private

• “Retweet” if you found information from someone else

• Don’t over tweet

Potential Pitfalls of Social Media

• Sharing too much informationPoliticsControversial postsReligion

• Demonstrating poor communication skills

• Wasting time • Not developing real connections• Lack of consistency

Final Thoughts• Be bold; don’t be afraid of rejection

• Set aside time each week for you to maintain your networks

• Job searching & networking takes time

• Not every job is posted online

QUESTIONS??