Personal Dividends

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It’s quite possible that you think that social media represents a big part of the decline in civilization. However, whether you like it or not, social media has become an integral part of our society and how we do things. From the fact that my mother just joined Facebook (FB is getting big with parents) to the fact that my father is considering a LinkedIn account to have a network in place “just in case,” it is increasingly clear that social media is fast becoming a fixture of modern life. And not just for meaningless commentating and exhibitionism (although there is plenty of that); social media can actually help you in other areas of life — like finding a job. Here are 4 social media sites that can aid you in your job hunt:

1. LinkedIn

For business professionals, LinkedIn is the place to be. LinkedIn helps you connect with people you know, and even get access to their business contacts. LinkedIn offers ways for you to search job postings and companies, and see if you have connections, or connections through connections, that can link you back to potential employers. If you are willing to pay $30 a month to upgrade your account, you can also send emails to people who are not somehow connected to you.

LinkedIn provides plenty of room for you to post your résumé information and skills, as well as links to your personal Web site, blog and/or Twitter account. Ask trusted connections for recommendations to further increase your stock on LinkedIn. Create a catchy LinkedIn headline to snag the eyes of head hunters.

2. Twitter

Yeah, it seems strange that Twitter would be a good place to look for a job. But it really can help. First of all, there are some job listing services that offer feeds on Twitter. @craigslistjobs and @SocialMediJob are examples of ways you can have job postings delivered right to your Twitter feed.

Twitter is also a great place to do some basic networking. Do a people search of Twitter to find a company you want to work for. Does the company have any people on Twitter? If so, follow them. You can also ask questions or do other things that are involved in offline networking. Only now you don’t have to be face to face. Bonus points if you use your real name so it is easier to recognize you, the brand on Twitter.

3. YouTube

The main purpose of using YouTube as part of your job hunt is to post a video résumé. A video that shows your personality, as well as your qualifications, can be a bonus. Embed your video résumé into your homepage, or you can link to it from your Twitter or LinkedIn account. We’ll talk about Facebook next, and it is worth noting that you can post your YouTube video to Facebook. Make sure that you tag your video résumé with keywords that are related to your desired position.

4. Facebook

For the most part, Facebook is best for networking. Make old connections. Keep people updated on your status as a job seeker (a great way for members of your network to keep you at the forefront of their thoughts, just in case they can recommend you to someone else. Connect to your Twitter account, and regular updates reach two different networks at once. Facebook Notes can also be useful, since they remain visible for longer than just regular feed items or Wall posts.

Keeping it professional

It is vital to remember that when you are on social media, you are out there. Facebook is becoming an especially popular place for potential employers to check you out. I don’t feel bad that there is a picture of me wrestling around in pudding in one of my albums, but I certainly wouldn’t want prospective clients to see it as my profile picture. Additionally, I try to avoid naming clients in posts to Twitter or getting too specific about what is going on in my day to day life. If you want to be perceived as a professional, you have to act like a professional — especially in places where others might come looking.

Realize that your social media profiles and comments may also come up in a Google search. Just because your potential employer Googles you rather than going right to LinkedIn or Twitter doesn’t mean that he or she won’t eventually end up on a social media site, staring at a picture of you using suspicious substances at a party.

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