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Twenty-first century job searches are about relationships and marketing.
With the startling number of recent job losses (1.2 million in 2008), it’s essential to maintain strong connections, expand your network, and make yourself stand out in the crowd.
Job-hunting isn’t what it used to be. It’s no longer good enough to send out resumes and cover letters and follow up with phone calls. And online career sites have gotten so large, many job seekers find them overwhelming.
Social networking is the newest tool for finding jobs. Job counselors know that about 80% of hiring is done through networking. Social networking allows jobseekers to stay connected not only with their friends, but with their friends’ friends. This ever-expanding net increases opportunities for connecting job seekers with employers.
Job recruiters also use social networking sites. They use them to find potential employees and to screen applicants. If you plan to use LinkedIn, MySpace, Plaxo, Facebook, or other social networking sites to market yourself, make sure there’s nothing on your profile that you don’t want hiring managers to see. You know what to remove—anything that could in any way reflect badly on your character, abilities, or integrity. Also, employers don’t need to know about your politics, your personal opinions, or how you felt about your last boss. Remember, there are lots of qualified candidates out there and you’re not going to have a chance to explain away anything negative an employer learns about you online.
What should you include in your profile? A short biography and/or resume, relevant recommendations, and career honors or awards if you have them. Tell potential employers what you want them to know about you. You can post a video resume on YouTube and link to it from your profile. Not everyone performs well on video, so get feedback on your personal video before you post it. Think of your profile as a marketing tool. This is not the time for modesty; it is the time to present yourself in the best possible light.
Integrating networking and job search features is increasingly common. Sites that do this include PeopleAhead (www.peopleahead.com), Indeed.com (http://www.indeed.com/forum/job), and Mashable (http://mashable.com/).
Screen can work both ways on networking sites. Jobvent.com (http://www.jobvent.com/) lets you exchange information on potential employers.
JibberJobber (http://www.jibberjobber.com/login.php) bills itself as a personal career manager. It can help you organize your job search and keep track of companies you’re pursuing. It also has networking and blogging options.
Social networking is a powerful tool for job seekers. Learn how to use it to your advantage and use it wisely.
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