Social media isn’t just for chatting with your friends anymore; it can actually help you find a new boss. For those who are skeptical, consider the fact that an estimated 30-60% of jobs are filled through networking. So why should you limit yourself to networking solely in-person, and with connections you already have? Using online networking to build your personal brand, making new and targeted connections is a solid job-search tactic. If you’re still not sold, let me tell you about how I landed my job through social media!
It was January 2011, a new year, and I was looking for a fresh start. I was determined to find a job at a local online marketing agency, but the job boards were not helpful. With only one year of experience under my belt, I was still considered an entry-level employee. Most of the jobs I found were listed by corporations looking to employ people with several years of experience: slim pickings. After months of perusing the job boards with no luck, I read an article that suggested using social media to connect with local professionals and industry experts. So I performed a Boolean search on Twitter for many different keyword strings, such as “marketing agency”, “marketing firm” and “marketing professional”. These are phrases people often put in their Twitter bio. See here:
Now I had a list of marketing firms on Twitter that I could follow and start engaging with. After several months of tweeting about social media and engaging in conversation with other local marketing experts, I decided it was time to reach out to those who might be hiring. I sent LinkedIn invitation requests to several of my Twitter connections, since LinkedIn is more of a professional social network. Once we connected, I sent them a private message:
Subject: Re: 30 Social Media Predictions…
Hi (name), thanks for sharing that great resource today. I noticed you work at a marketing firm in NJ. Do you happen to know if they are hiring? I went to their website and I couldn’t find any careers listed and I am in the market for a new job. Any advice/direction you could throw my way would be much appreciated!
One of my connections responded and in fact they were looking to hire, since they were a brand new startup without a marketing strategist! I went in for the interview and had a new job there two weeks later. So, I hope you see the value in using social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find a job. This is your opportunity to get creative and set yourself a part from everyone else. Let your personality and expertise shine through, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.
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Samantha Poliseno is now the owner of Amore Social, an online marketing agency dedicated to helping local businesses with their social media presence.
Are you looking for a new boss?! Learn from guest blogger Deborah Brody-Hamilton’s experiences. If you’re new to the social media game, here is an intro to using Twitter for your job search!
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photo credit: Viewminder via photopin cc