At the 2011 Social Media Summit, the Social Media and the Job Search panel was by far the most informative panel that I attended. I learned an amazing array of techniques to increase the probability of finding a job in my job search. Some of the things I learned last year were:
1. The Importance of Linked In – Linked In creates 6x more job opportunities than Facebook. It is also very important to have recommendations on your page from former managers, bosses, colleagues and clients.
2. Using WordPress (or any blog site) – Blogging about your subject expertise is a free way to enhance your personal brand. I started last September blogging about Social Media and have had a great experience, with my blog last month going over 500 unique views.
3. Knowing what is out there about you (Google your name) – Googling your name is something you can do to know what is online about you. I have a common name and it is important to know what Paul Miller (be it myself or another Paul Miller) is doing.
4. Using the privacy settings in Facebook so your personal information is not public. Knowing the privacy settings on Facebook is extremely imperative when searching for a job. The last thing you want your perspective employer to see is pictures of you partying last weekend.
This all being said, I was extremely excited to attended the Job Search panel this year. I wanted to see what new advice was available for the Job Search and how things may have changed over the last year.
To start the panel off, the panelists discussed how the job search is now 100% online. I don’t know if I agree with that totally, but I would agree that the present day landscape is at least 95% online. The panelists also noted that between 60 – 80% of jobs are found via networking with colleagues, present and former bosses, and recent clients. Being able to leverage your connections to find a job as well as using your connections as an asset is the easiest way to find a job in today’s economy.
There were two people on the Job Search panel that I found extremely helpful with their information, Amanda Haddaway (@ahaddaway on Twitter) and Rachel Strella (@RachelStrella). I will go into detail in part 2 of this blog about specific information for each of these two intelligent women, but I want to focus on more general information in Part 1.
The most recurring theme during this panel centered around Personal Branding. Positioning yourself as a professional with expertise and engaging readers can create a whole community of contacts. Using relevant information to your field can help you connect with the decision makers that you want to connect with to find work.
Other than blogging, becoming active in your community by volunteering with local non-profit organizations is a free way to enhance your personal brand. Finding a non-profit organization that you support allows you to not only add more connections to your arsenal, but shows potential employers that you care about your community. Personally, I am involved with two local non-profit organizations, The Bethesda Mission of Harrisburg and the Autism Society of the Greater Harrisburg area. I became involved with the Bethesda Mission because it is important to have an outreach program for those who have become down on their luck and allow them to get back on their feet. The Autism Society hits close to home for me because I have a son that was diagnosed with autism. The Autism Society of the Greater Harrisburg Area is something that I will be a part of for the rest of my life. Through these organizations I have received a great deal of connections and recommendations through my volunteer work. It also gives me an amazing way to give back to the community as well as a way for me to feel good about myself.
I would highly suggest that you begin with Linked In. LI is the most important thing that you can do to get on the right path to finding a job. There is so much more to talk about from this panel that I will continue in part 2 of this blog for next Monday, June 11.
Paul M. Miller
pmiller@solutionsforadvertising.com
Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv
paulmmiller 