Using Social Using Social Media Media

for for Your Job HuntYour Job Hunt

Alexis GrantAlexis GrantSocial media coachSocial media coach

alexiskgrant@gmail.comalexiskgrant@gmail.comSocialexisSocialexisJuly 2010July 2010

It’s all about WHO you It’s all about WHO you knowknow

Use social media to:Use social media to: Tap into your existing networksTap into your existing networks Expand your networks to include Expand your networks to include

contacts at the companies where you contacts at the companies where you want to workwant to work

Why Facebook?Why Facebook?

Biggest community = most bang for Biggest community = most bang for your buckyour buck

It’s more than just for funIt’s more than just for fun People know you, like you and People know you, like you and

WANT to help youWANT to help you Great excuse to keep in touch with Great excuse to keep in touch with

people who could help youpeople who could help you

#1 Social #1 Social Networking Networking

Rule:Rule:

Make small talk Make small talk firstfirst

Results? • Public responses• Private messages• Friends will think of you when a job opens up

Let friends know Let friends know you’re lookingyou’re looking

Because the best jobs are Because the best jobs are NOT listed on the job NOT listed on the job

boards.boards.

Facebook TipsFacebook Tips Privacy settings = friends only (NOT default)Privacy settings = friends only (NOT default) Use lists to create tiers of friends (edit Use lists to create tiers of friends (edit

friends, create/edit lists, privacy settings to friends, create/edit lists, privacy settings to use lists)use lists)

Untag yourself from inappropriate photos (or Untag yourself from inappropriate photos (or make invisible using privacy settings)make invisible using privacy settings)

Remember to be personal but professionalRemember to be personal but professional Be proactiveBe proactive

Status update (maybe two) – reaches friends you Status update (maybe two) – reaches friends you might not feel comfortable e-mailing or might not feel comfortable e-mailing or connections you forgot aboutconnections you forgot about

Private messages – reaches important Private messages – reaches important connections who might miss the status updateconnections who might miss the status update

Why LinkedIn?Why LinkedIn?

Connect with professionals you Connect with professionals you might not want to see your personal might not want to see your personal life on Facebooklife on Facebook

Your resume will pop up on Google, Your resume will pop up on Google, showing potential employers what showing potential employers what you want them to seeyou want them to see

Make new connections with the right Make new connections with the right peoplepeople

LinkedIn TipsLinkedIn Tips

Check out the (often-overlooked) job Check out the (often-overlooked) job boardsboards

Join groups: industry, alma maters Join groups: industry, alma maters (browse job listings in groups, too)(browse job listings in groups, too)

Be a sleuth = find background Be a sleuth = find background information on potential employersinformation on potential employers

Introductions feature = one of your Introductions feature = one of your connections might know someone where connections might know someone where you want to work. Create connections you want to work. Create connections with potential employerswith potential employers

Why Twitter?Why Twitter?

Network outside your circle of friendsNetwork outside your circle of friends Prove yourself as an expertProve yourself as an expert Hear about jobsHear about jobs Keep on top of new trends in your Keep on top of new trends in your

industryindustry Make connections with companies and Make connections with companies and

employers (who otherwise might not employers (who otherwise might not give you the time of day)give you the time of day)

Twitter TipsTwitter Tips

Use RTs to get attention of employers, Use RTs to get attention of employers, then DMs to communicate directlythen DMs to communicate directly

Be a sleuth – find information on Be a sleuth – find information on people and companies who are hiringpeople and companies who are hiring

Create industry or job lists – public vs. Create industry or job lists – public vs. privateprivate

Check out lists by other industry Check out lists by other industry expertsexperts

Join industry chatsJoin industry chats

•1,800 people now know I’m looking.• Result? DMs with ideas, RTs to spread word.

More Social Media TipsMore Social Media Tips

Fill out profile completelyFill out profile completely If you’re not going to do it well, don’t do If you’re not going to do it well, don’t do

it at allit at all Rather than being on every network, Rather than being on every network,

choose one or two or three and grow choose one or two or three and grow quality followingsquality followings

Social media is not only a useful tool to Social media is not only a useful tool to find a job, it’s a SKILL employers look for. find a job, it’s a SKILL employers look for. They’ll notice when you use it effectively.They’ll notice when you use it effectively.

Questions?Questions?