Career TOOLBox #8: Working Your Social Network

The Dos and Don’ts of Using Social Media During Your Job Search

This month, Career ToolBox focuses on social media, an evolving self-propelled world, where the rules change and continue to shift daily, whether we’re ready or not. The key, as to life, is to be flexible, proactive and positive. According to David Millet, Esq., Senior Portfolio Manager, The Westerman Group, LLC, an investment and wealth management company, “Be careful and diligent to ensure that your online reputation is aligned with your professional aspirations off line.” It is a brave new world and we’re all in it.

LinkedIn – Do!

If you are going to use only one social media tool, no matter what your industry or career path is, you need to have presence on LinkedIn. Originally a more static address book model, LinkedIn has done a nice job of keeping up with the times and allowing status updates, links, and groups. Plus, by this point, it has an extensive database of people, many of whom you probably know. You can search by any organization that you are connected to including colleges and companies.

One of the advantages of LinkedIn is that the only way people can connect to you (and vise versa) is if you have the primary relationship. This provides a sense of privacy. However, if you need to reach out to someone outside your own network, the site will visually articulate the people you will need to go through to communicate with the desired individual. You can also post an abbreviated version of your resume, include your photo and give back by providing recommendations. Adds Jamie Ginsburg, Social Media Strategist & Producer, Double Secret Media, “Give recommendations weekly until you run out of people to write them for. Giving recommendations on LinkedIn promotes your profile keeping you in front of your network and builds social capital. Write a recommendation for everyone that has worked for you, that you have worked for, that you know professionally or personally. Keep them short, simple and honest, remembering these recommendations build your credibility and communicate to the reader how well you write.”

Companies often now use the tool to find candidates and some job placement agencies will only communicate to their client base via LinkedIn. So invest the time, create or update your profile, search for people you know and, at least once a week, use LinkedIn to see what companies, groups and individuals are doing and seeking, as well as posting your own progress, always with an optimistic tone. It just may get you an interview or even a job.

Facebook – Do! (Carefully)

Over 1 billion followers signifies that Facebook is the second home for the global population. Chances are, you are already on it. Personally, I am logged in most of the day, checking in on what everyone is up to, any news breaks as well as reactions to events and announcements. For example, a former colleague who just had a baby posted on her profile page that she was looking for a professional photographer to do a family portrait. I saw this and connected her with a woman who has her own photography business and specializes in personal events. Within a few hours, the women were communicating. Life on Facebook moves that quickly.

Facebook can be your best or worst p.r. agent, depending on your posts. When I coach college students on career development, and tell them that anything and everything they post on social media sites can be screened by hiring companies, even with the tightest privacy settings, the students seem shocked to learn this. The truth is, people lose job consideration if perspective managers see individuals in reckless behavior.

No matter what you share with others, avoid the following: negativity, derogatory comments, gossip, slander and, specifically, bashing any organization where you work, worked or want to work. You may be angry at the world, but the world doesn’t need to hear it. At the end of the day, firms hire for a combination of attitude and skill set. You can be the greatest computer programmer on the planet, but if you are toxic and only wish to see the worst, no one will want to work with you.

On the flip side, a productive way to use Facebook, especially since it’s a mix of personal and professional, is to notify people of progress, post related questions and, when sharing more intimate details of your life, use common sense. Finally, when accomplishing or achieving something significant, like graduating from a program, completing training or achieving any other success that you are proud of, share it – your Facebook friends will be encouraging and happy for you.

Twitter – Do!

Twitter is your life in 140 characters. An open blog, where anyone can find you, Twitter is great for discovering random connections, people and products that you would have never otherwise connected with in the everyday. Additionally, whatever you publish to LinkedIn and Facebook, you can also to Twitter, all in one swoop as the three networks now allow for streamlined posting. Also, if undesirable followers come knocking at your door, you can block them. Remember, your messages need to be pertinent, compelling and quick. Finally, to truncate a lengthy link, you can use a site like http://TinyURL.com or, even shorter, http://Users/SVoloshin/Dropbox/MAMP/creativecadence.is.gd

Bottom Line

Social networks are the present. People rely on them to find what’s new, weed out what isn’t and to connect with people and products that are intriguing and relevant. No matter what combination of services you use, know this: you are your brand. And whatever you signal about your brand is what will come back to you. Most importantly, invest your time in these as part of your ongoing investment in yourself. They are a tool, and a compliment to face-to-face interaction.

First written in July 2010.  

Reprinted with permission and gratitude from CoolCleveland.com.

Next CareerTOOLBOX Column: Revisiting Your Resume

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