Tips for Job Search Using Social Networking Websites

Can social networking and online networking help in your job search? Do you feel that social networking was all about status updates, communicating with friends, uploading photos and videos? If yes, then it is time you updated yourself. These days, social media and social networking play a huge role in job hunting and job search.

How can social media and social networking help in job search? It is a valid question. Those days are gone when you uploaded a resume on job portals and recruiters contacted you. These days, there is stiff competition. Virtually, every recruiting firm or recruitment team has access to the job portals. Hence, everyone comes across the same resumes. Hence, recruiters and companies are looking for talent and creative employees on social media and social networking websites.

Social Networking and Job Search tips

You can communicate with friends on twitter or Facebook. Likewise, you can also mention your professional details in your profiles. Recruiters looking for suitable candidates can easily contact you if your professional and contact details are available in your social networking profile.

There are professional groups on Twitter, Digg, LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media websites. Be a part of such groups to know about latest job opportunities. Many employees, companies and recruiters use such social networking websites to find referrals and potential job seekers.

Using Social Networking Websites to Optimize Job Search

There are job seekers and there are social networking websites. Yet, both require some effort to find a dream job. Ensure that all your job hunting social networking websites have similar profile. Update your resume and social media profile regularly. Be sure to have a formal photograph and verify your social network account.

LinkedIn, Plaxo and Spoke are good job-hunting resources. Linkedin is vastly popular among job providers and job seekers. Take some time to build your connections on Linkedin. Add people who belong to the same profession as you do. It helps in building good contacts and sharing the job opportunities.

Never feel shy to ask about an open position. Ask your contacts if they know about any job vacancy that suits your profile. Likewise, share with them of any opportunities that fit your friends online. At times, you also earn for sending referrals and job seekers for interviews. Even if the position is unsuitable for you, it might be good for your friend. You might even make some money for referring them to the job provider.

Social Networking and Job Search during Recession

During recession, recruitment and hiring take a backseat. At times, there may not be a huge job fair. Yet, companies do hire during the whole year. It might be in small numbers but still, good positions in any company often accept employee referrals. Hence, never underestimate your social networking contacts.

Be brief and polite in your online job search process. Leave a personal message with your cover letter and resume. Ask your contacts to revert at their convenience. Mention about your interest to work for their organization. Remember to include your skills, achievements and experience in detail. Be persuasive but not rude. Always follow up with your contacts but do not be overwhelming and intrusive.

So, what are you waiting for? Create an interesting resume, cover letter, list out your career goals and achievements. Join two or three social and professional networking websites and create a professional job search profile. Using proper keywords, links and URL will highly benefit your job search.

These unique job search methods have faster results compared to posting resume on a job portal and waiting for response. Since it is your need and your job, you need to contact people and find the hidden job opportunity at the earliest.