Social Networking Job Search Strategies
Whether you prefer MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, or a myriad of other social networking media, it is your responsibility to nurture these networks. Every social network is like a directory of who is who. This is particularly true with LinkedIn.
There are several schools of thought on how social networks should be grown:
1. The first states that you should only connect to people you know.
2. The second holds that you should connect to people you know and to those who are looking for new connections.
3. The third theory of social networking holds that you should reach out to as many people as you can. (be careful here since LinkedIn has some evil policies against friendliness)
I follow the third theory of social networking because I am truly interested in connecting to as many people as possible and in growing my social network as large as I can imagine. Some people are not comfortable connecting to those they do not know and by this discomfort lose out on vast opportunities.
Social networks are created for one purpose: to be social. It’s almost obvious but many people try to use them as personal contact organizers. This is not the best way to use many social networks.
Now for the Social Networking Jobs Strategies:
1. Grow your Network!
2. Develop your profile
3. Get endorsed
4. Grow your Network!
5. Use your favorite social network to research hiring managers at your target companies
6. Call those managers directly and connect with them before you send your resume to HR or to the job posting.
7. Grow your Network!
For strategies on how to grow and utilize your social network to get that elusive job please call me at 1-800-791-7794.
Interesting.
Personally and professionally I’m not too comfortable with point #3, connecting with as many people as you can.
Just recently, 2 of my senior level clients, also LinkedIn LIONS have been extensively questioned by Recruiters as to their connections and asked quite openly how well they know certain people. This has been their downfall.
Topic we could discuss infinitum I guess?
I’m a bit at loss as to what happened. The recruiters called the clients and asked them questions about particular people that they were not supposed to ask about? How was the behavior of these recruiters in any way unethical as to be their downfall?
Anyone in any company from any source is fair game for a sales or recruiting call. The recipient of the call has two options which are to hang up or to engage in conversation. The recipient can end the call at any point and if the recruiter happens to damage his reputation with that client in the process then tough luck for the recruiter. I’ve actually seen sales people intentionally damage their reputations.
For a job seeker, sales guy, or recruiter having the largest possible network on any social networking site is ultimately a source of information, leads, and revenue. LinkedIn itself as you probably know has a recruiting database service not unlike Monster or Dice that it sells for about $15,000 a year.
But yes we can debate this endlessly. Thanks for the comment!