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The Importance of Social Networking for Job Search

It’s easy for job seekers to begin to assume that the universe of jobs starts and ends online. In fact, the majority of available jobs are not posted online. In general, those in positions to hire receive a list of candidates referred to them from inside-or from within their network-before the job is even officially posted.

For hiring managers, reviewing resumes from this networked pool can make their jobs easier-and if the pool happens to contain some qualified applicants, this may even preclude them from needing to sift through an abundance of resumes submitted to the public, online post. In a tough economy, this is even more likely to happen.  If you’ve ever been frustrated by responding to a job posting the first day it appears, only to be told that it’s already been filled, you know what we’re talking about.

Fortunately, online networking has forever changed the dynamics of looking for a job by creating for you a “one-to-many” advantage.  Instead of thinking of their activities as a job search, job seekers in the age of social networking must conceptualize their activities as part of an extended people search.

This may not seem like much of a switch, but this change in perspective alone will place you miles ahead of your competition during your job search.  It also will prepare you for a long career of successful networking.

Just as salespeople are advised to always be selling, you must always be networking-even if just subtly.  In this shaky economy, you might land a job tomorrow only to find yourself looking for a new job again next week.

Social Networks-What Are They?

The careful use of social networks such as Facebook creates impressions on employers, for better or worse.  Social networks attract tens and hundreds of millions of members who use them on a regular basis, many daily, others weekly or less frequently.  But what are they, really?

These sites range anywhere from small social networks to massive “communities” made up of people from around the block and around the globe, with every interest imaginable-even some you haven’t thought of yet!

Social networks allow you to find other people who share your interests.  These may be broader such as political leanings, religious beliefs, or a favorite soccer or football team, or they may reflect a smaller subculture, or interest , such as growing bonsai or breeding Siberian Huskies for show.

Social networks have profiles, pages, and groups.

Profiles allow you to put up or ‘post’ a profile, consisting of a page or pages about yourself, who you are, what you like-anything about yourself really-and share that information with the world or perhaps with just a select group of friends or business acquaintances.

You can have still pictures or live video of yourself, family or events. You can add sound using audio and music files, including MP3s.

You can start a blog and build a following of kindred spirits who are interested in hearing about your life or pursuits. Likewise, you can follow others’ interests through their blogs.

They can be purely informative and all business, or they can be highly entertaining or whimsical.  A blog could be about your reflections on the economy, or it could be all about your fascination with insects. The only limit is your imagination.

Truly, social networks are your soapbox to advertise yourself to the world. You will need to understand how to use them in your people search, and avoid embarrassing missteps along the way.

What happens on spring break or in Vegas may be funny or humorous to share with the world…but potential employers and recruiters will not be nearly as amused.  As stated earlier in reference to Facebook, manage your online reputation with care.

While there are thousands of social networks available to you, job seekers should focus on some of the smaller, more niche-oriented, highly vertical groups that are organized around a common interest or industry.

About the Author

Sherrie A. Madia, Ph.D. is an educator, author, and trainer.  Her most recent books include The Social Media Survival Guide (Also available in Spanish), The Online Job Search Survival Guide, and S.E.R.I.A.L.PRENEURSHIP: The Secrets of Repeatable Business Success. She is frequently cited by the national media as an expert in social media.  She is Director of Communications, External Affairs, and a Lecturer at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Job Search Experiment Episode 2: Your Blog.mp4

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