If you’re hoping to land a new position this year, or if your ongoing job search could use a boost, you may want to pay more attention to the power of social media. In a job hunt, it’s all about who you know, and these tools can help you expand your in-person networking efforts.
The three most popular social networking online tools are LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Here are some suggestions for how you can best use these sites to enhance your job search:
LinkedIn: If you’ve yet to establish a profile on LinkedIn, you may want to consider it. Not only have many professionals come to view a LinkedIn profile as just as essential as a resume, but also hiring managers and headhunters are using it more often for recruiting purposes. And because LinkedIn is dedicated to professionalnetworking, you aren’t as likely to run across some of the awkward situations you might encounter on more socially oriented sites such as Facebook.
In addition to allowing you to create a personalized profile page describing your employment history, educational background, skills, credentials and professional interests, you can also solicit recommendations from former colleagues and business contacts. These testimonials give prospective employers and clients additional insights into your qualifications, work ethic and personality, which can go a long way toward helping you stand out professionally.
LinkedIn is also useful for connecting with others in your field by joining specialized groups that focus on your areas of interest and expertise. In addition, one of the most beneficial aspects of LinkedIn is that you can leverage your contacts to identify new ones. If you see that one of your close connections has a relationship with someone at a firm where you’re interested in working, for example, you can ask for an introduction or referral.
Twitter: Another tool for expanding and energizing your network is Twitter, which has grown in popularity as a career-building medium. Once you’ve joined Twitter by creating a brief profile, you can begin connecting with others by finding people to “follow.” Start with professional groups and other legal resources, then expand your reach by following people those people are following or by searching by location (e.g., Bay Area bankruptcy lawyers), specialties (litigation) or interests (legal implications of healthcare reform). By following prominent people and firms in your field, you can stay up-to-date on industry developments and trends, gaining knowledge helpful in your other networking activities and job interviews. For instance, one job seeker found that information she learned about a firm through Twitter enabled her to make a positive impression during a phone interview and score an in-person meeting.
You can also raise your profile by “tweeting.” If you have a knack for thoughtful or clever “tweets,” you can develop a following while staying plugged into current industry discussions even if you are between jobs.
Facebook: Unlike the more buttoned-up LinkedIn, Facebook started primarily as a social networking site for telling friends what you’re up to, sharing photos and playing games. Since people now also network with it on a professional level and employers may search for information on job applicants using it, be careful about what you say on Facebook. Despite countless cautionary tales, users continue to damage their reputation by showing a lack of discretion on the site.
If you receive friend requests from current colleagues or business associates, you might suggest connecting on LinkedIn instead, with an explanation that you use Facebook mostly to keep in touch with longtime friends and family. Another alternative is to create a separate “work” list and limit the content you make available to business contacts.
While social media can help you raise your profile in the job market, keep in mind that it should supplement – not replace – traditional networking approaches. Having occasional face-to-face interaction or a telephone conversation with professional contacts is still the best way to strengthen connections and open doors.
Charles A. Volkert is executive director of Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of attorneys, paralegals, legal administrators and other legal professionals with law firms and corporate legal departments. Based in Menlo Park, Calif., Robert Half Legal has offices in major cities throughout the United States and Canada.