Social networking is vital in today’s job search. If a job seeker is not yet aware of the benefits of social networking, they may never be aware of their missed opportunities.
The most utilized and effective networks today are LinkedIn and Facebook and now Twitter. They are invaluable for establishing relationships with targeted contacts. These networking sites are databases at your disposal for researching industries, locations, fields, and companies. Job seekers that are focused and aggressive in their search can and should utilize these sites regularly to gather information, make contacts, and establish their expertise or value.
More defined and targeted networking can be conducted within groups in LinkedIn, fan pages on Facebook or being established on a list of someone worth knowing professionally on Twitter. Once you get the hang of it you’ll discover the thrill of being asked to be someone’s friend, be followed or to be added to a professional network.
I see job seekers that are on track with their career goals, writing articles, commenting on industry related news and use social networking to build their brand. They are driven and getting noticed. But for many job seekers and professionals using networking sites, I see much more socialization than social networking. There are always new topics and conversations being discussed on the networks and if you’re not careful you can get easily distracted.
Because it is so intoxicating, job seekers feel they are progressing when really they are forgetting that “being busy does not equal being productive”. It is important to recognize the difference and stay focused, remembering that their end goal is to find a job, not socialize the days away.
If you have been on the networks all day or maybe for days and do not have scheduled phone, Skype or in person meetings than you are probably not as productive as you would like to think. To find success a job seeker needs to concentrate their networking on a targeted area and network for results.
Reminders taped to your computer or a detailed plan of your weekly job search strategies that allot a specific time for networking will help you stay on course. Work as hard on your job search as you did at your job for fastest results. Once you’ve found a new job you can socialize more on the networks – but for now keep your eye on the prize — a job.
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Hi Kris,
I am so very guilty of this. Discussing “Avatar” really does not constitute me being “productive” LOL I have learned to put a limit on the amount of time I tweet, or at the very least, keep my focus on topic … hard to do having “met” so many wonderful people online.
Great post.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by ErinKennedyCPRW: Hmmm… I think I am guilty of both. RT @KrisPlantrich: Social Networking or Socializing? Which will find you a job? -http://bit.ly/4JzUIP…
Spot on Kris! When conducting a multi-channeled, targeted job search campaign, keeping a sharp focus on how one incorporates and uses SM is essential. Just as a job seeker is not being productive restricting their efforts to uploading resumes, individuals who are using social networking also need to concentrate their SM efforts where they are most likely to unearth a new opportunity, meet a targeted contact, learn something new that will increase their value to employers, demonstrate their professional expertise, etc.
It’s wonderful to enjoy SM, but looking for a new job is work and requires the mentality and discipline complementing the task. So job seekers using SM as part of their job search must treat SM as they would other proactive job search methods. Put in a different, but within a context must of us can relate to: stay away from the snacks and stick to nutritious meals.
Hi Debra – thanks! Love the snacks analogy – healthy is better for the body and SM is more productive than socializing for the job search.
Great post, Kris. My favorite comment was “being busy does not equal being productive” … and it’s such a subtly deceptive difference!
Your article hits on one of the many reasons I believe niche marketing is so powerful. With the global vastness that social media brings, it’s easy to get lost. Having a clear target helps to focus your SM networking efforts … keeping you from falling into the busy vs. productive black hole.
Nicely done!
Cindy Kraft, the CFO-Coach
Thanks Cindy for your response. I use the busy vs. productive quote on myself to keep on track, hope it helps others.
Kris
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