How to Use Social Networking to Land a Job

The traditional resume and cover letter may no longer cut it when it comes to landing your dream job. And in a world driven by technology, it's become more necessary for job seekers to tap into the social networking realm in order to keep up with the competition.

“We hear so much about 'Social Media',” said John Crant, author and career coach. “It's been all the buzz for sometime now, yet job seekers are still very unaware of how they could, or should use it to their advantage during the hunt for their next position.”

After speaking with the experts, we came up with a list of social-media tips and tricks for your next job hunt.

No 1: First and Foremost, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) yourself

Sherrie Madia, director of communications at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and author of “The Social Media Survival Guide”, recommended searching your name in Google before setting out on the job search.
“Depending on what you find, you can start figuring out where you need to begin,” Madia said. “You can locate negative comments you have left on Facebook, blog posts, etc.”

No. 2: Reshape and Revise Your Online Profile

Get all of your subscribed social-networking sites in sync with the same message, goals, experience and photograph.

“You have to constantly be in job-search mode, utilizing every outlet accessible to you,” Madia added. “It's not a one-and-done kind of deal.”

The experts agree setting up a profile on LinkedIn, a popular professional site used for business networking and potential job opportunities, is a key tool in Internet job hunting.

Crant recommended getting your LinkedIn profile up-to-speed, making it more than a resume.

“Think of it as a 3-dimensional sales brochure 'all about you' that has one singular mission: to convince the reader, maybe even the hiring manager, you are the best individual for their team,” Crant said.

However, it's no easy task and involves quite a bit of work. Crant advised job seekers to avoid answering the basic sign-up questions, and think outside the box.

“Utilize your space to it's fullest to tell your story with a narrative,” Crant said. “Include things like books in your professional specialty that you are reading, presentations or even videos of you presenting professionally and join groups related to your niche.”

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