9/6/20151 Social Networking Katie Chiariello

9/6/ Introduction Social networking sites are the new way employers are finding new hires. Networking is essential in every line if work. With the advent of social networking sites, networking has taken on a whole new meaning.

9/6/ It’s Not What You Know, It’s who You Know. Research has proven that the people you know can often be the key to unlocking your way into a company. 12 percent of recent new hires were found through job boards, while 27 percent were found through referrals. A referred candidate has a 35 to 1 chance of getting hired vs a 500 to 1 chance for a typical candidate.

9/6/ The Power of Job Search Networking 1. Find highly desired and unadvertised jobs Scouring the Web for jobs is more efficient than ever with new job search engines like Jobster that search major job boards, niche boards and employer sites. However, the fact remains that some jobs are never posted online. Networking can help you tap into the job pipeline that you would otherwise never know about.

9/6/ The Power of Job Search Networking 2. Get noticed for jobs Employers are inundated with resumes each day and rely on referrals as a way to spot great candidates. New sites such as Jobster and LinkedIn include “social networking” technology which can help you identify which of your contacts may know people at the companies you want to work. Jobster goes a step further and can help you request a referral directly into the hiring team at leading employers.

9/6/ The Power of Job Search Networking 3. Be a resource What you put into something is what you’ll get out of it. Networking is not a one way street. If you expect to leverage people in your network, you have to be prepared for people to also leverage their relationship with you. Be proactive in sending opportunities to people in your network that you think they may be interested. This isn’t limited to job opportunities and may include events of interest such as a professional seminar, book signing, art opening, etc. These types of events are also great places to network. The bottom line is, if people consider you a resource, they will want to return the favor and help you too.

9/6/ The Power of Job Search Networking 4. Get connected Another great way to network is by maintaining an online professional profile. These profiles typically go beyond basic resumes to introduce your professional experience and accomplishments. Create a public profile on Jobster. Or, join LinkedIn and establish your profile in the LinkedIn network

9/6/ Top 10 Social Networking Sites 1. LinkedIn 2. Plaxo with Simply Hired 3. Twitter 4. Jobster 5. Facebook 6. Craigslist 7. MyWorkster With Indeed 8. VisualCV 9. JobFox 10. Ecademy

9/6/ LinkedIn LinkedIn is frequently cited as the top business networking website, the one most employers gravitate toward when looking for job hunters. When using LinkedIn, you can improve your chance of finding a new employment opportunity if you create an up-to-date and professional-looking profile, make connections with current and prior colleagues, get recommendations from those you know and become an expert by participating in discussions and Q&As.

9/6/ Twitter Twitter breaks down communication barriers and lets you talk directly to hiring managers. Tweet daily about the search, stating desired position, location, and/or target company. Search people and follow recruiters and companies of interest. You can also find out about jobs being posted at places such as Twitter Job Search and Tweet My Job. Although Twitter is probably one of the best networking tools on the planet, it needs to be supplemented with a blog or LinkedIn profile.

9/6/ Jobster Jobster is a powerful platform for networking with employers who are offering jobs. You can upload your resume, embed your video resume, showcase links to your site, your picture and tag your skills, which is a unique differentiator. You can search for open positions and see who the person is who posted the job. Then you can add them to your network and connect with them to find out more about the position.

9/6/ Facebook Facebook can also be used to get jobs. There are two main ways of acquiring a job through Facebook. The first is to go to your Facebook marketplace, which lists job openings or other opportunities in your network. When searching for jobs, you’ll be able to see who listed the item and then message them to show your interest. When you find a job opening that you’re interested in, you’ll be able to message the hiring manager directly. The second way to get a job using Facebook is to join groups and fan pages to find people with common interests and to network with them.

9/6/ Do’s and Don’ts Employers are checking job applicants' profiles on sites like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn Twenty-two percent of employers say they use social networking sites when evaluating job candidates, and an additional 9 percent intend to do the same soon.

9/6/ Do’s and Don’ts Do update your profile regularly Keep your profile updated, even when you're not looking for a job, Don't badmouth your current or previous employer You know that griping about your current boss is a grave error during an interview, and it's just as detrimental on your profile. Do join groups…selectively One of the fun elements of networking sites is that you can connect with other people who share your same interests and have your quirky sense of humor. The silly group might seem harmless enough to you, but for a hiring manager trying to find a mature candidate for an open position, and it doesn't leave a great impression. Don't mention your job search if you're still employed If your boss knows you're on the lookout for a new job, then by all means let it be known. Even if your boss isn't your online friend, somebody can get the information back to him or her

9/6/ Do’s and Don’ts Do go on the offensive A large percentage of recruiters 'Google' potential candidates to see what they can find out about them -- both the good and the bad. Be sure that you don't have any information on social networks or other sites that could make a recruiter decide to pass on you as a job candidate. If you want to use your networking profile as a tool, review the pictures you've uploaded, the personal information you've disclosed and any personal blogs or sites you've linked to. Don't wait until you're interviewing to go back and clean up your profile because the hiring manager probably already had a look. Don't forget others can see your friends Unless you've opted to keep your friends list private, your friends can see the contacts you've made. So in addition to keeping your friends' risque pictures and comments off of your profile, be cautious about whom you friend and when. Get Rid of Your Digital Dirt

9/6/ Build your network now, you never know when you might need it. All you need to know about online social networking mashable.com