Thanks for the valuable insight.

I know it works, although I haven’t experienced it at that level. I’ve recognized people at conferences based on their Twitter or LinkedIn avatars. And, you can start a conversation immediately because you already have some common grounds established.

The next time she attended a conference where some of her target speakers where presenting, she approached them after their presentations. Each one recognized her from her avatar and said “I know you.” There was an instant feeling of acceptance and intimacy that would not have been there otherwise. They gave her immediate attention and talked with great familiarity with her. They were as happy to meet her as she was to meet them… and she was able to open doors faster.

I know that researching and verifying what I find off-line or in email is a habit for me. And I know I’m not alone in being suspicious when I can find NOTHING about someone or something.

You’re so right that without a strong online footprint, job seekers will probably face a prolonged job search.

Studies have shown that all other things being equal – skill sets, qualifications, relevant experience, education, etc. – job seekers with stronger web presence are the ones who are noticed by recruiters and hiring decision makers, and chosen over those who have little or no online identity. In fact, lack of online presence may be as detrimental as having digital dirt.

Those job seekers who are hanging onto the old ways — mounting a job search campaign based solely on spending hours on job boards sending out their digital resumes — are being left in the dust by those who have embraced the job search 2.0 methods that yield better results.

They may be dragged kicking and screaming into the new world of search and resent that more effort is required than a few years ago, but they really have no choice but to dive in, as you said.

Meg Guiseppi
Job-Hunt’s Personal Branding Expert – http://www.job-hunt.org/personal-branding/meg-guiseppi.shtml