Career: Landing a Job Using Social Media

As we approach the holidays, it is hard not to think of countless professionals without employment. All too often, hard working individuals find themselves unemployed as a result of the economy and not as a result of a bad review or poor performance. In 2008, there were an estimated 1.2 million job losses. Fast forward one year later, and unemployment is now at 3.5 million, leading to an unemployment rate hovering at 10%. Even though many analysts are telling us that the recession is technically over, there are also predictions that employers are not anticipating a surge in hiring. Rather, many companies are determining how to “do more with less.”

Job Losses, Recent Recessions, compiled by Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Not a very optimistic prospect for the currently unemployed. Add on top of that an estimated 1.5 million college graduates, making the search for a job really slim.

With these sobering statistics, what is a job seeker to do?

The 1-2 punch of the economy and the revolution of the Internet has made a traditional employment search a thing of the past. Yes, candidates can and still should participate in employment fairs, and by all means send a thank you note for interview opportunities. And I cannot stress how important building a strong network is both in person. However, social media’s 2-way approach allows the possibility of many-to-many interactive communication in which a job seeker can be a proactive receiver and sender of information.

As much as companies spend countless resource hours on a social media presence, this approach can also help job seekers. Regardless of career, virtually everyone has a specialty of some sort that they can communicate to the world. You can become an information producer instead of just a recipient. One of the best ways to do that on the web is to launch a blog that centers around your expertise and passions. Best of all, it’s free! Check out WordPress.com, Blogger.com or Live Journal for a few ideas.

Definitely research companies that are of interest to you. Find out what they are doing online. I’m a big fan of LinkedIn by nature of its more professional tone and appearance. If you haven’t already created a LinkedIn profile, do one immediately. Importing your contacts from your email system (Microsoft Outlook, Google Gmail, etc.), is a way to research contacts (1st, 2nd & 3rd degrees) for information on their contacts for potential outreach for job searching. Follow companies of interest on Twitter to get updates and push your information out to them.

The biggest key is to this is integration of web 2.0 with the traditional approach you’ve already been using, in order to be consistent and be yourself. Recruiters do not want surprises. Be true to yourself whether you interact with them in person, on paper or online.