Social Media Isn't Just For Goofing Off Anymore
Never underestimate the power of your online social media profile, says ClearRock, a Boston-based outplacement and executive coaching firm.
Potential employers may be more likely to look you up on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter than search through posted resumes on job websites. So if you aren't in the social networking sea you may be missing the boat, said Ali Chambers, vice president of ClearRock.
"Even extensive, targeted networking, which is the best way to find jobs, may not compensate for the lack of a complete and updated social media profile," she said.
Eighty-three percent of employers looking to hire are using or plan to use social media networks, according to a survey by the Jobvite recruiting platform, www.jobvite.com. Fifty-eight percent of employers have hired through social media networks, and most, 89 percent, use LinkedIn.
So how do you use social media to advance your career?
- Develop a strong online brand. This should convey the value you bring to an organization, says Chambers, and make sure your profile is set to public so your brand is out there.
- Pay attention to the professional headlines on LinkedIn; it should contain powerful keywords that express what you can do, not where you've been.
- Position yourself as an expert in your field. Make sure dates and other details on your resume match your social media profiles.
- Join online groups and answer questions on discussion boards within your industry and put your LinkedIn URL in the signature blocks of your e-mails, chambers says, to maximize hits and increase your search standings.
WBJ Web Partners
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