When preparing for their new job search, most candidates develop their own resume or have one written for them. Job seekers often begin their search by posting their new resume on all the big job boards. To expand their network and meet the right people, networking works far better than posting on Monster, CareerBuilder or other large boards but the Internet should not be ruled out for a job search. A combination of on and offline networking and promoting works best.

Most people are not aware of the effective ways to get their resume in front of your target audience using the Internet other than the typical job boards. Depending on the industry or position you are seeking such as manufacturing, marketing, or something in health care, the ideal place for your resume will be different. Below are some different types of online locations that should not be overlooked when starting to place your resume on the web because

Your resume needs to be in front of the right target audience in order to be most effective.

First of course is www.LinkedIn.com which is a must for any professional. Period. You can develop a rich summary, upload your resume and expand your network strategically so that your resume and name gets in front of those that would be interested in what you have to offer. Joining and becoming actively involved in groups on the site that relate to your goals and interests has become a very effective strategy.

Another helpful site to post your resume on is www.VisualCV.com. This site is nice because you are given a web address and unique web page for your resume with areas that allow you to get very creative offering room for much more than just your resume.

For example it comes in handy for those that want to use provide a portfolio of photographs to showcase finished work such as architects, photographers, florists, cake decorators or interior designers. You can use the VisualCV web address you are given for your profile / web page and place it on your contact card or signature line.

A strategy candidates often overlook is locating and utilizing industry or niche job boards. Job boards are getting a bit of a bad reputation because candidates run into so many old advertisements and send their resume to job numbers or recruiters, have no way to follow up and are rarely contacted. It definitely becomes disheartening. You can get more visibility utilizing smaller niche boards suited to your industry your targeted position.

If the candidate really focuses on posting his resume in strategic locations, the process can become much more effective. Some examples would be posting a resume on industry specific association job boards or publications such as hospitality, HR, automotive or health care using online newsletters, newspapers, magazines, and associations. Find several websites related to the industry or position you are targeting and find ways to leave your mark. Answer questions or leave comments on blogs, register and place your resume on the site, find out which sites accept relevant articles and write a content rich article to share with others and decision makers that visit site.

It is your job search you have to make things happen and you might have to be curious, you might have to be creative, just find an online job search strategy that works for you and get started. If you want to get noticed by the decision makers you have to be seen.

I just returned from the Career Directors International (CDI) conference last night. What a great time seeing old colleagues and meeting new ones. A truly enjoyable and informative conference.

For some of the presenters, including Jason Alba, Barbara Safani, and Louise Kursmark, their underlying theme was the importance of using Web 2.0 business and social networks to increase visibility. My job seeker take away from these speakers was that being visible on these networks is vital in today’s economy and with today’s available technology. Job seekers can effectively use this job search strategy to develop their visibility for recruiters, hiring managers and decision makers.

Creating keyword and content rich profiles and becoming a proactive participant on networking sites such as Linkedin.com, Facebook.com and Twitter.com are a great way to start. However, being active on these networks is only effective if you use these sites as tools to build your brand and value proposition.

Keep communications professional to quickly increase your brand by including articles, opinions, and helpful site, book, blog and speaker links and recommendations. It is an effective way to strengthen your online presence and make your first impression positive and make you memorable for the right reasons.

Wednesday’s Q & A

Question – Does social marketing help job seekers get noticed?

Answer – Absolutely! Social marketing is moving so fast that it is often tough to keep up with. New sites, blogs, videos and social networks are being introduced daily. “What to use”, “how much to use”, and “is it worth it since my job search will hopefully be short term”, are questions I am often asked.

Social marketing helps brand you as an expert in your field, position, and industry. It also gets you noticed. As others see you writing

and answering with relevant content and participating in helpful discussion on your industry, you will get noticed and will be seen as someone who knows their stuff. I’ve said it before (and heard it even more), it’s not who you know but who knows you!

What to use? I would first and foremost get on LinkedIn. It is just too good not to use! Establish your profile and then get out there! You can join groups or add your own, ask questions, answer questions, search out companies or contacts, search for jobs, add your resume and more, more, more!

Twitter and Facebook are other places to establish a professional presence and start meeting people. You can again join groups, search out company or contact information and learn from others on how to do it well. Also check out the Yahoo groups or Ning groups – they seem endless and available in every possible profession.

Sign up for local and online networking groups, join associations or set up a blog and become an expert in your field – and bring them to you! Social marketing and personal branding go hand in hand.

While you are building your online and in person identity, make sure you steer your reputation in the right direction. Join reputable groups and association and post information, comments, articles, tweets, and videos that promote the type of professional image you want for yourself. The choice is yours.

You don’t have to join every group out there but I’d join many and then spend some time weeding through them to find several that fit you well. Then, really make a contribution either online or in person. It is a commitment but well worth the outcome.

Not only is the time you spend in social marketing worth it during your job search but it is an excellent tool to maintain after you’ve found your job. It helps manage your professional brand and reputation and will be the perfect place to start looking for future opportunities a few years down your career path.

If you’ve found this post you are on your way!

Shine On!

I am finally understanding the obsession many have developed over www.Twitter.com. I joined a while ago and have even posted a few tweets but only had a few followers and a few I was following. Little by little I am beginning to understand the unique appeal it offers for the followers and followed. Those quick little blurbs are concise and to the point – even if there is no point. It is a great way to share knowledge, ask for help, and get to know others.

It is not only socially fun but it is a great way to get your name out to others. You can search (at the bottom and top of your twitter home page) to find others that are of interest to you. Then, you can start following those you want to notice you. Usually people follow those that follow them, so there is a good chance your target audience will start paying attention to what you have to say.

For a job seeker you can put the word out, search for help, contacts, companies and more. Right now, I am still learning and will share more once I am completely comfortable with all the benefits and uses of Twitter.

Try twittering today or sending me a quick hello. www.twitter.com/krisplantrich

Shine On fellow twitterers,

Kris

Hi – it’s been a while since I’ve posted here. It has been a busy October! I just returned from a Career Directors International conference in Seattle. What an experience – I met with professional writers and career coaches from across the country. Many I’ve become acquainted with over the years through the internet and phone lines but never in person, so it was a real treat to finally meet.

Just when you think you know something, you go to a conference and are overwhelmed with new information. So, I will be sharing with you what I have learned over the next few posts.

The conference offered recruiters from Microsoft, Google, Starbucks, the retail industry and Silicon Valley. We had a paneled discussion of questions and answers. What was made crystal clear across the panel of recruiters, was that all went to LinkedIn as their first stop in locating talent.

I’ve always suggested this to clients but was really struck by the direct connection made between recruiters and LinkedIn. So, if you haven’t signed up for LinkedIn yet – do so today! Start slow, just register and develop a profile. Once you become familiar with LinkedIn, take advantage of the many ways to utilize it; research companies, find referral connections and join groups to advance your job search and get you noticed by recruiters.

Shine On!

I continue to hear positive comments and results on using LinkedIn. If you are a job seeker and don’t have a profile already on LinkedIn, I would consider doing so soon. It is a very easy process of going to the website, http://www.LinkedIn.com and signing up. Once completed you can complete your profile, answer questions, invite others to connect with you and search the vast content for potential contacts.

The bio you include on your profile is very important and should include many keywords about your skills, experience and education. Include social, volunteer and professional information. If unsure of how to write one feel free to visit mine at http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/krisplantrich. I continue to make changes and add credentials and information to help potential clients (or in your case recruiters, hr personnel or hiring managers) find me.

An immediate benefit of LinkedIn is the ability for people to find you. Key words including professions, industries, experience, skills, expertise, education, location, alumni, volunteer affiliations, church affiliations etc are ways for others to find you. More and more recruiters are turning to LinkedIn to begin searching for potential candidates. They tend to prefer those that are currently employed so it isn’t necessary to say you are interested in work.

Related benefits include your ability to seek out contacts in the same way, according to what you are looking for. It is a great way to meet people as a job seeker. You can also increase your exposure through offering invitations to connect to others. This will place you on the profile of each person you connect with.

Answering or asking questions can increase your visibility because all members of LinkedIn can see them. Just reading the questions is a great source of information, a great feature worth having. There is even a place to include your resume if you are able to without concern of a current employer seeing it.

There are also groups you can join through LinkedIn related to just about every industry and geographic location. Find a few that are of interest, join, and post a new member greeting note of some kind to get your information out there. It won’t take long for others to find you.

It is free and being used extensively by recruiters. If you aren’t LinkedIn you should be. If you aren’t sure how to get started, email me and I will send you an invitation. Or if you want to practice sending invitations, I am always available to practice on.

Shine On!!