Chameleon Tech Inc

Searching with Social Media

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Whether you are out of work and in need of a paycheck, or even if you’re currently employed but looking for a new challenge, the latest edge in job searching is utilization of social media. It’s always smart to have a variety of resources at your disposal, but these days, social media is definitely something useful to have in your toolbox. Most people already have one or more accounts, though, which makes it a simple matter to start gearing that activity toward a job search.

Finding a job is essentially about networking – it’s about who you know. This ties in well with social media, since it is also about connecting with people. Most social media platforms are designed to make interaction faster and easier, especially through the increasing availability of mobile devices. It’s even easier to get in touch with new contacts or friends of friends.

One big issue is that there are so many social media sites that it can get very overwhelming. A common piece of advice is to pick a few and concentrate on those. As long as you’re active on some of the biggest sites, you don’t need to have a profile for every network out there. We suggest at least the big three: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

LinkedIn – If you’re not on other social media sites, be active on LinkedIn. It was designed specifically for professional networking. Several recent articles have stated that recruiters currently use LinkedIn more than other social networks for finding candidates. Experts suggest joining groups to maximize the job search potential.

Twitter – This is a good way to find out what’s going on in a particular industry or with a certain company. Many organizations (including Chameleon Technologies) make a point of posting job openings on a regular basis. Twitter is all about interacting – sharing, asking questions, responding – in order to connect with influential contacts.

Facebook – Depending on how much you use Facebook, it may give employers a better look at you in terms of cultural fit, which can be just as important as other qualifications. It is also handy as a true networking tool to spread the word about your job search.

YouTube – Posting a ‘video resume’ is another creative option for getting your name – and face – out there. Just be careful to stand out in a good way!

Regardless of which platform you use, the same recommendations apply. Make sure to keep your information as up-to-date as possible. Be proactive – don’t just wait around for someone to find you. Keep your public profiles appropriate to your desired profession. These tools can be valuable for most industries and they are particularly relevant with IT jobs. So get out there and get social!