Social Media: An Asset to Your Job Search

Social Media is on the rise today. The growth of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have all contributed to an alternative way to conduct a job search. If you have accounts on these sites, more often than not you have a vast database for career resources at your fingertips. The key to taking advantage of your online network is be stay active and in touch with your connections. It's important to participate in groups discussions and post any concerns or questions that you have about your industry. With the advent of the Internet age, it is more important now than ever to establish a strong "online presence". Taking the time to work on your online presence can prove to be extremely valuable in the future.

Instead of Looking for Positions, Look for People
In many ways this search method is more effective and useful than responding to postings online. Personally contacting people about open positions is guaranteed to be more successful than responding to a listing because of the human contact and relationship building that is made in the process. If you are looking for a job in the Medical Device Industry, connect with Medical Device groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. In these groups you can actively post your qualifications for a job as well as view other listings for potential openings. At the same time, viewing the profiles of people who work in the company that you want to apply to also gives you a sense of what the company's work culture is like. Reading other people's profiles also gives you a sense of whether or not you can fit into the company's corporate environment - which is an essential factor when HR managers make hiring decisions.
Another method of utilizing these sites is to take advantage of the ability to message people that work in your target companies. Before doing so, make sure to do your research on the company - don't just simply message the individual asking for a job offer, but build rapport with them. You may not get a job offer but in the end expanding your network will only work to expand your career.

Tweet it on Twitter
Establishing a strong prescence on Twitter is not only essential to expanding your online network - but it is also a good way to publicize your name and experience in your field. Completing a full profile with a background on Twitter is essential to participating in "tweeting". Connecting with recruiters and companies on Twitter shows them that you are extremely interested and proactive in wanting to join their workforce. Furthermore, you can follow job leads on Twitter once you subscribe to recuriter Twitter accounts. Working with Twitter is not only fun, but also a good way to contact as many people as you can without meeting them face to face.

Find a community on Facebook
Facebook can also be an important asset. Joining groups in your area of expertise as well as adding yourself to alumni and professional networks can give you a heads up on tips to improve your image at work as well as the latest industry trends and news. Facebook may not seem as professional as LinkedIn, but it's personal connections through Facebook that can give you a whole new perspective on those in your field. Plus, getting to know your peers personally through Facebook only makes it much more easier to network with them and ask them for possible job opportunities and tips.

LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are all relatively new tools that can baffle a lot of people. It's relatively easy to create a profile and stay in touch with people - so why not do it and promote yourself professionally at the same time? Just a few minutes checking these sites everyday can really expand your networking potential - get yourself out there on the web!