If you consider building an online presence and social media as a process rather than something you have to do all at once, you can take it step-by-step. That way it won’t be overwhelming and take up your entire job searching time. Rather, you can integrate social media into your job search and use it to enhance both your hunt for a new job and to build your career on an ongoing basis. Here’s how to get started:
Get a Dedicated Email Address.
Be sure to use a personal email address (you can get free web-based email at Gmail and Yahoo Mail) for all your job search correspondence. Do not use your work email address, because some companies review employee email. In addition, if you lose your job you’ll lose the email account. Use your personal email for all your social media accounts.
Update Your Resume.
If your resume isn’t current, update it. That way you can copy/paste from your resume into your LinkedIn Profile. Include your latest work history, education, and skills. Keep your resume up-to-date so it’s ready to share with the contacts you’re going to make using social media.
Take a Photo.
You can add a photo to your LinkedIn profile, your Facebook page, and Twitter. For LinkedIn, the photo can be no larger than 80x80 pixels. Do make sure your photo represents the professional you, not the personal you, because LinkedIn is all about professional networking. That said, you can use your own digital camera to take the photo; you don't need to have a studio portrait done. Be sure to dress professionally and crop the photo so it’s a headshot or a head and shoulders shot.
Choose Your Social Media Sites.
As I said, take it one step at a time. The first, and most important, place to be for professional networking is LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com). Start with LinkedIn, then decide what other sites you want to use. Twitter is an excellent way to find job listings and to get career advice. Facebook can work well, too, but if you’re using Facebook for personal networking be very careful and check your privacy settings so you’re not sharing personal information with prospective employers and networking contacts.
Create a LinkedIn Profile.
When you create your LinkedIn Profile include all your relevant skills and experience. Your goal is to make a strong impression on everyone who views it. Have someone review it for you, to make sure you don’t have any typos. It’s just as important as your resume and cover letters when it comes to getting it perfect. Keep your Profile current and add new accomplishments to them right away, before you forget.
Create a VisualCV.
A VisualCV (http://visualcv.com) is a good way to showcase your talent. It’s an online version of your resume, but notched up a bit – you can add images, video, links, and more bells and whistles.
Promote Your Social Media Accounts.
Because you don’t know who will find you where, the more information you have online the better positioned you’ll be to get found by prospective employers. Cross promote your profiles by linking your VisualCV and your Twitter page from your LinkedIn Profile. Add a link to your blog, website, or LinkedIn Profile from your Twitter page and add links to all your profiles to Facebook, if you’re using it for professional networking.
To see how it works, take a look at my VisualCV (http://www.visualcv.com/alisondoyle) . I have links to my About.com Job Search site, my blog, my LinkedIn profile, and Twitter. On my LinkedIn Profile I’ve included a link to my VisualCV, my website, and Twitter.
Grow Your Network.
The more contacts you have, the more people who can help with your job search. Use LinkedIn to connect with people you went to school with, worked with, or have another connection with. Follow people you know on Twitter, as well as contacts in your industry and career field. Connect with everyone you know on Facebook, too.
Make Your Presence Known.
It doesn’t do much spending time on social media if nobody knows you’re there. So, it’s important to actively make your presence known. Join Groups on LinkedIn and start and respond to discussions. Use the Status section to post updates on what you’re working on. Tweet and retweet other people’s posts on Twitter. Visit blogs related to your field of expertise and post comments. The more expansive your social media presence, the more you’ll benefit, both when you’re actively job seeking and when you’re gainfully employed and working on moving up the career ladder.
Bottom Line:
It may take a while to get your social media network established, so, even if you are employed, get started NOW.
© Copyright Alison Doyle, 2009. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
---------------------------------------------
