I Got A Job Using Social Media

I Got a Job Using Social Mediaâ€"And You Can, Too Americans spend 27% of their time on-line on social media. We use social media to get peer reviews and recommendations, tell our followers what we’re eating and discover ways to refinish that boring old dresser. Why then are we so hesitant to make use of these platforms as relationship-building career instruments? Social media is simply that: social. It is the good equalizer. You no longer should be a celeb to have your voice heard. In fact, people have become celebrities due to their social media accountsâ€"take, for instance, Twitter sensation Kelly Oxford. I’m not asking you to turn out to be an online superstar, however I am asking you to consider social media as your subsequent networking device. I did it, and you'll, too. Your Elevator Speech in one hundred forty Characters or Less In the spring of 2011, I was graduating faculty and engrossed in job looking in a bad financial system. One day, whereas writing a ultimate examination paper at 1:00 a.m., I decided to take a break and mindlessly learn through my Twitter feed. Only this time, I saw 140 characters that gave me a “eureka” moment. It was from a manager at Edelman Digital in Silicon Valley who was on the lookout for an account government. I tweeted again asking for the best way to use for the place and expressing my enthusiasm. He responded immediately and let me know who I should send my resume to (and in addition that I ought to mention his name as a recommendation). Notice that I said “who I ought to send my resume to” and never the general HR e mail account. If I had utilized for the job with out connecting with this contact first, I can be submitting a type of on-line purposes that get lost in a sea of others. Instead, I was related with an actual individual in their Silicon Valley office, a nd I was contacted the subsequent day for a phone interview. Within the week, I had two rounds of interviews and was a top contender for the position. In the top, I didn’t get this position, however I obtained much further with a a hundred and forty character introduction than I would have with a 500 word cowl letter. I’m not naïve sufficient to assume that my application would have ever been looked at, as a quickly-to-be graduate, for a prestigious account government place in Silicon Valley with out this networking opportunity. Twitter is really the simplest approach to join with people you don’t know properly, or don’t know in any respect. Twitter Tips Create a bio and publish a photograph. Don’t assume folks know who you might be. You aren’t the Dalai Lama. (Actually, even he has a bio.) Follow individuals doing things you’re interested in. I comply with different social media managers, companies and types who have a great social media presence (can I give a shout out to Taco Bell?) and thought leaders like Guy Kawasaki and Pete Cashmore. Tweet priceless content. Make certain you’re showing your data in your given field. It’s fantastic to be personable and share other details, but ensure you’re connecting with influencers and sharing content related to the roles you’re on the lookout for. If you’re an engineer, then share nice improvements in your subject. If you’re an aspiring trend intern, break news from the runways and trend exhibits. Many of them are streamed online during fashion week, and you may stay tweet whereas they’re occurring. Be proactive. Look for jobs. Follow the accounts of corporations, agenc ies and organizations that you simply’re interested in. Many of them have HR accounts; observe those, too. Also observe people working at those locations. You by no means know who may help you. Set up lists for certain hashtags. If you’re a graphic designer on the lookout for a job, create a free Hootsuite account and set up lists for hashtags like #graphicdesigner or #designerjob. You may have to type out some unrelated posts, but this can help. Be responsive. Social media strikes quick. If you’re making use of for a job utilizing social media, be prepared to respond instantly. Set up alerts on your cellphone and/or e-mail. Also, be ready for the interviewing process to be fast. A Site Made for Networking Twitter isn’t an internet site that was created to be a networking toolâ€"although I one hundred% consider that it must be. But LinkedIn is a special medium altogether. It was created with the purpose of linking skilled contacts, and I am frequently surprised by how few job-looking out friends of mine use it to truly job search. After my Twitter experience, I continued to make use of Twitter to source job postings. I also turned to LinkedIn. I began to search for positions in Washington, DCâ€"which was where I dreamt of transferring after graduation. After a short time, I discovered a public relations job that appeared good for me. Not only was this job posted by an actual employer (versus the dreaded anonymous HR department), however I may see his profile and background and make contact with him. All due to LinkedIn. I sent a quick note detailing my interest and was contacted inside the hour about setting up an interview. Again, just like the Twitter posting, I had two interviews throughout the week. Only this time, I additionally had a job provide and begin date that was in two weeks. LinkedIn makes it straightforward for an employer to evaluation your qualifications and expertise. So if a possible employer contacts you via LinkedIn after you’ve networked with them, you understand they’re involved as a result of they’ve seen your resume. Your odds are higher. LinkedIn Tips Complete your profile. Make positive you utterly fill out that profile. It’s tedious, however it’s your online resume. Also, add a photograph. It feels such as you’re hiding when you don’t. Add contacts. Make certain you add people you understand and people you’ve interacted with. Many folks don’t like being bombarded with requests on LinkedIn when they’ve never met you. If you’re actually excited about connecting with someone, ship them a customized note with the invite letting them know why you’re reaching out. Again, be proactive. Search for opportunities. Update your profile to let your connections know that you just’re job searching. Don’t expect things to return to you. The final step is the very same as my advice for Twitter… Be responsive. As you possibly can see, each of the hiring processes I highlighted have been extraordinarily quick-paced. You must make your self out there. Parting Words One frequent factor with all social media, particularly the extra private (and public) platforms like Twitter and Instagram, is the necessity to keep it clear. Even if you’re not making use of by way of Twitter, make sure you current yourself professionally and competently. You should completely nonetheless inject persona, however should you’re posting something you'll be embarrassed about your current or future employer seeing, don’t do it. Finally, consider creating a simple website that lets you inform employers about your self and also consolidate your online presence. For example, if you connect with someone by way of Twitter, they will go to the website in your profile and see your LinkedIn account (and therefore your resume). I suggest about.me for simplicity. For additional tips, check out these assets: How to Tweet Your Way to Your Dream Job Facebook Costing sixteen-34s Jobs in Tough Economic Climate Social Media Can Cost You a Job Gayane Margaryan is the Online Commun ications Associate for African Wildlife Foundation, the place she manages social media and online content strategy. She holds degrees in Public Relations and Political Science from the University of Florida. When she’s not obsessing over social media white papers, yow will discover her making an attempt to calm her thoughts at yoga, arm-barring at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (when yoga doesn’t work) or on the water exterior of the town (during which case, she doesn’t wish to be found). You can join together with her on Twitter, LinkedIn and on her web site. Image: photobucket