Use social networking websites to your advantage.
One of the most important things that a person can do when preparing for the job search is networking. Having and making connections with people can lead to a future job offer or just some really good advice. You never know who could lend a helping hand in the future—it may even be the people you least expect. Keeping in touch with old co-workers, classmates and friends was made easy with the dawn of the social networking website. My social networking website of choice is Facebook, but it does not hurt to have more than one. The more social networking websites you are a part of, the more people you have a chance to network with.
Facebook is a website geared towards high school and college students, where other social networking websites, such as LinkedIn, are geared toward the college graduate and workplace professional. I had never heard of the website LinkedIn until overhearing co-workers speaking about it at my internship over the summer. I found out that LinkedIn is a place for professionals to share their resume with their colleagues and those people they have made connections with throughout their lifetime. Since both websites are geared toward different audiences, it may not be appropriate to have some of the information that I have on my Facebook, on my LinkedIn account. Discretion is advised with any social networking website, but be especially discrete about what you decide to share on LinkedIn. A LinkedIn profile is available to co-workers, your boss and even your boss’ boss. So, I would probably focus on my career goals, experience and triumphs, rather than what party I will be attending that night. So go ahead, join LinkedIn and get networking. It can only help you in the long run.
Labels: networking, social networking websites
Posted by Jen on 10/30/2008 09:51:00 PM
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1 Comments:
Hi Jen -
Good advice for folks looking to go after their first job. Especially the point about keeping your online brand "clean". If you Google yourself and see no skeletons, you are probably OK!
My addition would be to network with as many people as you can (of course) but avoid the temptation of filling your Linkedin and Facebook pages with people you don't really know. For me, the power of these sites is in tapping a network of folks that know you, have worked or socialized with you and have an interest in wanting to help you. I have friends who have over 5,000 Linkedin contacts - in my opinion this is no better than a cold call.
Keep the good advice coming . . .
Tim Tyrell-Smith
Spin Strategy™ - Tools for Intelligent Job Search
http://quixoting.typepad.com/spin_strategy/