Social Media and Job Search

Presented by Michele MartinMichelemmartin.wikispaces.com

@michelemmartin

I’m Michele

Our Agenda

• Today’s Hiring Environment—Some Context

• Key Points About Social Media

• How Job Seekers Should Use Social Media

• Google Tools for Organizing the Job Search

THE HIRING ENVIRONMENT

*This does not reflectthose who have dropped out of the labor force altogether.

Promoting from Within

When there’s an opening, 42% of jobs are filled internally.

Less Pressure to Hire

Multiple Hiring

Sources

45% of external hires come from referrals and applications receivedthrough the company website.

Rapidly Evolving Requirements

Too Many Applicants

Recruitment Management Software

Implications for Job Seekers

• Fewer jobs with more competition for those jobs• Changing nature of jobs—more “contingent” and

PT workers, more rigorous and rapidly changing job requirements.

• Greater difficulty getting noticed• Need to navigate confusing online systems and

multiple social networks

Key Points About Social Media

No Magic Bullet

Complement, not Replacement

Not Just for “Professionals”

Need a Plan

Find Information

•Job leads

•Company info

•Industry/occupational info

Build/Maintain Connections

And make existing networks “visible.”

Communicate Value

A Job Search Plan, Optimized with Social Media

Basic Questions

• What is my geographic radius?

• Who, within that radius, hires people like me?

• Which of these organizations would I want to work for?

• Who do I know who is connected to those companies?

• Who do I need to know who is connected to those companies?

• How can I connect to the right people and to current AND future openings?

Job Search Plan• Focus efforts on my target companies and

getting to the people within those target companies that can help me get noticed.

• Demonstrate to my target companies and people that I’m the best fit for their organizational needs, culture and values.

• Expand “weak ties” for job leads

• Nurture “strong ties” for more help

Step-by-Step Job Search Plan

• Identify target companies• Research target companies• Network into target companies and

leverage/build relationships with key people• Look for both posted and unadvertised

opportunities• Demonstrate value to target companies• Keep it all organized!

Identifying & Researching Companies

Why Research?

• Who will hire you?• Where do you want to work?• Who’s in your network and how might they

help?• Customized job search tools• Interview prep• Culture match

Google Maps Keyword Search

maps.google.com

LinkedIn Company Keyword Search

LinkedIn Company Profiles

Company Insights

http://www.google.com/alerts

Keywords

• Names of companies • Names of key people in organization• Industries• Key skills/certifications• Industry trends

Other Options

• Company Career websites• Twitter—Find/follow company and hiring

managers• Facebook Fan Pages

Networking to Your New Job

Two Main Goals

• Expand current network• Nurture and build relationships in existing

network

LinkedIn Is Your Best Friend

• Focused on professional, not personal• Shows how your network is connected into

companies• Helps you identify people you want/need to

connect to within companies• Contact management that helps you build

professional relationships

1. Sign Up for an Account

2. Create Your Profile

Start Connecting• Connect through email contacts• Regularly review “People You May Know” on

LinkedIn Home Page.• Review contacts of new connections—who

might you connect with?• When you meet people in person, follow-up

with a LinkedIn connection• Say “yes” more than “no.”

Building Your Network• Join and participate in Groups—great way to get to

people for connections!

• Be a good “neighbor”--update your status, share articles, make referrals, give advice.

• Ask for introductions from your 1st level contacts to get to 2nd and 3rd level connections.

• For 3rd level connections, join groups they belong to and interact via the group

Interact!

• Update status with professional info/announcements

• Review newsfeed and comment/respond to activity.

• Share links to online resources that are useful to your network/profession.

• Provide unsolicited recommendations for colleagues and others

LinkedIn Contacts Management

LinkedIn Home Page

LinkedIn Company Search

Working a Job Opening

Networking to a Specific Company

• Search for Company• On Company Page “How You’re Connected”• Click “See All”• 1st level connections are direct• 2nd level—view “Shared Connections” then ask

for an introduction from your 1st level connection to your target contact

Other Ideas

• View the profile of your target connection for specific information to include in a “request to connect”

• Look for Groups they belong to that you can join.

• When selecting potential networking contacts, focus on relevant job title and/or number of connections.

• Status updates– Work you want– Companies you want to connect

with

• Fan Company Pages/Interact

Social Media and Personal Branding

Communicating Your Online Brand

• LinkedIn• Facebook• Online Portfolio (Wiki)

LinkedIn Profile

• Complete the entire profile!• Upload a professional photo• Have a great headline and summary• Highlight accomplishments, not

responsibilities• Set Profile to “Public” • Link to other online tools (Twitter, Slideshare,

etc.)

LinkedIn Skills

LinkedIn Recommendations

Requesting a Recommendation

• Select carefully• Send personalized request• Provide some guidance on what they should

highlight for your job search• Try GIVING one first!

1. Clean up “digital dirt”2. Project positive image

Facebook Posting

• Remove all photos that are not “professional”• Untag yourself in photos that are

unprofessional.• Review timeline and delete posts/comments

that reflect poorly in job search• Review Fan Pages you’ve “liked” and “unlike”

inappropriate pages• Review apps/games

Facebook Privacy

• You have to choose privacy• If you need to go on “Lock Down”

– Settings at “Friends” or “Only Me” (through “custom” in settings page) for posting

– Limit audiences for past posts– Disable public search – Disable searches by email address

Positive Strategies

• Use status updates to connect, let people know about job search, comment on professional issues.

• Revise profile to emphasize professional/ educational accomplishments

• Share links/resources• Choose friends wisely• Join and get active in

groups and on Fan Pages that are connected to your profession and/or to companies that interest you

Wiki Portfolio

Wikispaces.com

• Can upload documents and images• Can embed PowerPoint, video• Use to share:

– Introductory video– Work samples– Certificates– Recommendations

Finding Job Leads

LinkedIn Jobs

Jobs in Groups

Finding Leads on Facebook

• Company Fan Pages• Job Board Pages• Facebook Applications• Networking with friends

BEWARE—You’re mixing personal/professional on Facebook!

Twitjobsearch.com

Tweetmyjobs.com

#hashtags

Organizing the Job Search

Some Tools

• Gmail• Google Drive• Google Calendar

Why Gmail?

• “Preferred” account by employers• Gateway to other Google products• Labels for organizing• Filters to automatically route emails• Excellent search • Integrated with Video, Chat, Calendar and

Tasks

Gmail Tasks

Shift + T automatically adds open email to task list

Google Drive

• Upload or create Word, PPT, Excel documents, including forms.

• Store online—accessible anytime, anywhere• Private or shared with others• Online editing, commenting

Commenting

Sharing

Editing

FORMS

Templates

Calendar

Find a Time

Note—Calendars must be shared.

Other Features

• Share calendars with others• Invite people to add item to their calendars• Have reminders sent to cell phone• Set to automatically email daily agenda each

morning• Embed calendars in other websites• Can enable attachments to events

www.michelemmartin.wikispaces.com

michelemmartin.com

michelemmartin@gmail.com