Social Networking for Job Search Success

Social Networking gets your job search noticed When I speak of social networking I am referring primarily to Facebook.com (growing the fastest) LinkedIn.com (I call it the Facebook.com of business), My Space.com (huge globally) and Twitter.com (getting the most buzz). Not to say there are not other locations but if you used only these you would be well into the game. Why would a sane adult want to enter into the social networking arena, during a job search? Well, you just might want to use social networking when looking for a job, need to locate colleagues. Searching for a way to connect with others in your field? Post your resume without looking like you are searching for a job? Avoid spam filters, attract the attention of employers and become visible to headhunters. Or, economically blast events listings, see people you thought you knew well in embarrassing photos, ask a favor of a stranger. Look cool and competent; increase you Google ranking, and post great pix of you. Waste time reading the stupid things people write; become part of the most dynamic aspect on the internet, bypass traditional email, just write on walls. Use social networking if you do not have a web site. Your competition is already social networking. It is immediate. Gain access to people who are otherwise unlisted. Viral market. Post recommendations. Ask a group their opinion and get quick responses. Make friends with enthusiasts. Support a cause or pitch for you passion. Share I continue? Rather than go on let us have the numbers do the talking. Obama, 2,445,000 Facebook.com supporters, McCain, 627,459. Sure Google still gets more action than the social networking sites BUT with Google users are looking for information, whereas on LinkedIn.com and Facebook.com they are seeking connections and people. If you are not already subscribed or are pretty new at this, here are some suggestions:. 1. Start with a limited number of sites. Create one complete profile rather than dapple with a few. 2. Think about you audience. Tone and photos on Linkedin.com are very different from those on Facebook.com. Only share information you would want a potential employer to know. 3. Get your page prepped before you submit. Nothing is more disappointing than to see very little info and no photo. 4. Invite you friends and close colleagues first. They will see it as an honor. After you have some connections, broaden your scope. People who know you less will be hesitant to join unless they see others have connected and then gauge if there is value for them to be connected to you. 5. Update, update, update. Things change. You will get better at this and your first attempts will seem amateurish. 6. Do not let just anyone in. It is embarrassing to be asked to make an intro for someone you realize you either do not know or like. 7. List other ways of contacting you with your profile email, web site. 8. Join groups. Initially watch the dynamic in silence. Then, make some comments (start with positive ones). After you have gotten the tone and rules you can express your opinions more freely. Be prepared from some angry responses. Once you have become a full-fledge member you can ask for intros and other favors. Would love to connect with my readers through social networking sites. Go to Linked.com and Facebook.com and MySpace.com Search for Jane Cranston. View my profile page. Request a connection. Tell me you saw this article. Social Networking is essential to any job search. Get motivated, get started, execute and reap. Copyright© 2009 Jane Cranston. Please Note: You are welcome to reprint this article as long as it remains complete and unaltered including the About the Author and copyright information.