It’s hard times for everyone out there and I’m being asked to talk more and more about how socal media can help you find work. Here are some simple ideas to get you going, based on the use of LinkedIn, Twitter and blogging. There are lots of things you can do but I have tried to emphasise simple ideas that are practical and achievable.
It is worth noting that making good use of these tools will increase your skill set in very valuable ways. It will build your skills in the use of social media, increase your awareness of what is happening in your own field and will ideally help you build confidence in yourself by connecting with others. Sometimes it will make you feel like everyone else knows what they’re doing except you… but when this happens just close your eyes, grit your teeth and get back onto Twitter!
Good luck.
Social media and job hunting
Principles
• Focus on what you want to achieve , be consistent and be patient
• Identify your keywords: ‘civil engineering’, ‘data programmer’, ‘fundraiser’, ‘childrens services’, ‘Prince2’
• Use those keywords consistently across all your activity
• Use your keywords for ongoing research and as a basis for building your profile
• Build and nurture an online presence that reflects your capabilities
• Learn to tune in through different media
• Research what is available and look for jobs being advertised
• Build a profile of your skills, experience and connections
• Maintain and nurture your profile – tidy it up every couple of days
• Look for contacts and ask to connect
• Ask for recommendations
• Join groups that help you learn
• Join groups where you can share your knowledge
• Focus on key attributes that relate your work goals
• Listen to what’s going on in your field
• Tune in to who is doing what and what other people think of it
• Identify people in the network[s] you want to be part of
• Start engaging with others to demonstrate your potential
• Be useful, be polite, be active
Blogging
• An online space to reflect your thoughts and ideas
• Your thoughts about issues of relevance to your field
• Links to useful information which demonstrates your knowledge and references
• Regular updates – not necessarily frequent
• Learn from what others are doing and share it
• Use wordpress.com or posterous.com [both are free]
Other ideas
• Set up a ‘work’ account on Facebook
• Spend a couple of hours on Slideshare tracking your keywords
• Produce a simple video CV and post it on YouTube
• Meet regularly with other people in the same boat – compare notes and swap info online
Mark Walker, November 2010
Social media and job hunting
Principles
· Focus on what you want to achieve , be consistent and be patient
· Identify keywords: ‘civil engineering’, ‘data programmer’, Prince2 and use them consistently across all your activity
· Use your keywords for ongoing research and as a basis for building your profile
· Build and nurture an online presence that reflects your capabilities
· Learn to tune in through different media
· Research what is available and look for jobs being advertised
· Build a profile of your skills, experience and connections
· Maintain and nurture your profile – tidy it up every couple of days
· Look for contacts and ask to connect
· Ask for recommendations
· Join groups that help you learn
· Join groups where you can share your knowledge
· Focus on key attributes that relate your work goals
· Listen to what’s going on in your field
· Tune in to who is doing what and what other people think of it
· Identify people in the network[s] you want to be part of
· Start engaging with others to demonstrate your potential
· Be useful, be polite, be active
Blogging
· An online space to reflect your thoughts and ideas
· Your thoughts about issues of relevance to your field
· Links to useful information which demonstrates your knowledge and references
· Regular updates – not necessarily frequent
· Learn from what others are doing and share it
Other ideas
· Set up a ‘work’ account on Facebook
· Produce a simple video CV and post it on YouTube
· Meet regularly with other people in the same boat – compare notes and swap info online
Mark Walker, November 2010
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