I teach social media for job hunters several times a month and meet lots of great people. When I talk about twitter, I often hear, “Twitter’s stupid.” If you don’t need a job and think twitter is stupid you can stop reading right now.
If you have an open mind, you might be very surprised at the number and types of jobs available on twitter. I was talking to a recruiter recently and she said that when she gets a new professional position, the FIRST place she posts it is twitter. Why? Because it’s easy, it’s free and she knows that only people who ‘get’ social media will be looking there. Only people with updated skills know to look on twitter.
Remember, you don’t have to have twitter followers or follow anyone to search the powerful real time network. Go to twitter, find the search box and input any of the following:
I like Linked In. I think it has done a lot of things right and I appreciate all the forward thinking people who have created this terrific tool.
Everything in social media is changing all the time and while it makes it challenging for us to stay on top of those changes, it’s logical because there are financial, technological and practical reasons for the constant upheaval.
I am surprised by job seekers who know little about how the power of Linked In can help them in their job search. It continues to be the #1 tool I recommend for people looking to build their network contacts and find work. There are so many ways to use it to attract recruiters and hiring managers; particularly now that the job market is picking up. For more tips on using Linked In, check out this article, Ten Tips for Getting the Most Out of Linked In.
There are a few negatives in using Linked In that in no way outweigh the benefits. However, in recent months, these issues have become more problematic and if you are just starting with Linked In, you may benefit from understanding these things.
Large groups can be full of spam now. Don’t let this discourage you from using groups. They are a fantastic way to meet people. You may have to work a little harder to find groups that are just professionals talking to one another.
I’ve noticed that some people are sending out unsolicited emails about events or their groups. When I replied to one person that it was spam, they started arguing with me. I said, “if it comes to my in box and I didn’t ask for it and I don’t want it it’s spam.” Period.
I’ve noticed that when I look at the connections for one of my contacts, they are no longer in alphabetical order. This isn’t a big deal but…
Asking and answering questions, uploading presentations, looking for jobs and searching for contacts at key companies are all incredibly useful parts of Linked In.
Here’s my funny Linked In story. I was giving a talk at an entrepreneurial conference on social media. The crowd was great. As I left the venue, a young man stopped me and said, “I’m sorry I missed your talk on social media. Can you tell me about Linked In?” I said, “Sure, it’s like an electronic Rolodex.” He looked at me blankly and said, “What’s a Rolodex?”
I hear it over and over, “Twitter is stupid.” When some people find out I teach social media they tell me how dumb twitter is. They know almost nothing about twitter and have never even seen it, yet they are convinced (based on something they’ve read or heard) that it’s a waste of time. When I explain it, some people still argue with me and announce,”I’ll never use twitter.”
To that I reply, “You don’t have to.” If you can grow your company, find a job, network effectively or accomplish your other goals without it, then good. If however, you’re looking to inexpensively reach new contacts; you may want to have an open mind. I encourage people to learn what twitter is and how it might help them. I agree Twitter isn’t for everyone but only make that decision after its capabilities are understood.
If you are unfamiliar with Twitter you may think that you have to follow people and have followers and that is what it’s all about. The power of twitter is in REAL TIME SEARCH. All the information that is attached to a ‘tweet’ is there because a person thinks it’s worthwhile.
Here are just a few facts about twitter for job seekers. Did you know that:
There are a minimum of 180 recruiters on twitter?
There are over 50 companies who regularly post jobs on twitter?
You can find jobs by searching on a profession e.g. @engineering
You can find an internship by searching @findinternerships
People who find jobs there already ‘get’ the power of social media and don’t need to be trained
I regularly teach social media for job hunters, my next session is on October 29 at the Pittsford Library, Rochester, NY. Let me know if you’d like to join us. The sessions are free, fun and you can network at the same time as you learn. I am looking forward to meeting you.
This weekend I had the privilege of teaching Social Media for Job Hunters in New York City. As always, my students inspired me. I have made this presentation to nearly 1,500 people so far, mostly here in Upstate New York and this group was different from a typical session here because:
It was multicultural – the group included many 1st generation Americans (Russia, Italy, England, Ireland and China).
It was multi-generational – the group spanned 4 generations from people in their 20’s to those in the 60’s.
They were really hungry for information. People in the group were eager to be exposed to new ideas. They had left their homelands to come to America for a new opportunity. Knowledge, to them, is empowering.
They were humble. Confident in their abilities but grateful for a chance to learn. Despite a language obstacle, they worked hard to communicate.
The people in this group were similar to any here because they had a:
Desire to build skills and share information
Pride in their family and community
It reminded me to be grateful to be living in this wonderful country. That despite our political problems and partisanships; it is our freedom to criticize, discuss and debate issues openly that is one of our greatest gifts. It also reminded me that a curious and open mind can accomplish great things when accompanied by hard work. Please share with me your multicultural and multigenerational experiences.
I’m not an early adopter of technology. Left to my own devices, I’d probably still have a rotary phone. Many social media people are early adopters and I’m grateful to them. These tech pioneers have made my life infinitely easier on many fronts. When it comes to the working world however, I’ve made my adjustments: I learned voice mail, email and now I even use twitter. On my journey to be more ‘connected’ by using social media, sometimes I wonder if I’m less connected. Perhaps you can relate…
So what’s a person to do? Somehow we need to find a balance between keeping up with the latest technology and communicating as humans. I have a friend who jokes that he sometimes thinks about using a kitchen timer when he’s twittering and blogging to make sure he doesn’t spend too much time in cyberspace! And he’s a technical guy who’s used to spending long hours on his computer. Fundamentally, he understands that technology is not an end in itself; it’s only one way to connect. Anyone who’s ever used Skype (free internet phone calling software) to call a loved one overseas or a webcam to see their new grandchild knows how compelling these new gadgets are.
Many of us who twitter, automatically follow people who live in Rochester. Why? Because this is our community. It’s ours to enjoy and our responsibility to help it to flourish. No matter what we do for a living or how we spend our free time, finding new ways to allow life’s serendipitous twists and turns to bring us together with others, often for the greater good, is part of the joy. It’s a real pleasure to finally meet someone who you only know ‘electronically’. Recently, I attended the Social Media Club of Rochester “meet up” (yes, we meet live) and ran into several people I follow on twitter that I had never met before. We already knew each other in a way and our ‘electronic’ exchanges enhanced our meeting.
In the end, the hope of social media is for us to connect in ways that build community and trust. I encourage us all to think about how we connect – how much time do I spend online vs. face-to-face ? Striking a balance can enrich us in unpredictable ways. Never underestimate the power of eye contact, laughter and a smile.
Not busy enough? Want to read more? “Crazy Busy” by Dr. Edward Hallowell.
What the heck is twitter? Twitter is a way to talk and listen to a variety of people online. Think of it as a cocktail party. You talk to one person, and then move on to someone else. Ok, but how does this help the person looking for a job? Let’s take a look.
1) I started on twitter by signing up for an account (use your real name) and then I started following a few people. This gave me a feel for how people use the allotted 140 characters to make others interested in the ‘tweet’.
2) I decided to start posting but first I determined why I wanted to post. It is important to remember that ANYTHING you post is searchable by an employer. If you think they won’t look or won’t care you are mistaken.
3) There is no need to tweet anything or to follow anything. You can simply search for a company you are interested in or look for people in your industry.
4) Here are resources: an eBook to help you get started, information about #hashtags (search twitter by subject), and 50 twitter tips for job seekers.
5) Twitter is a more sophisticated tool than people realize. The tools for researching companies and people, establishing yourself as an expert and building your network are available to you. If you begin…
Fun and Interesting Free/Inexpensive Things to Do in Rochester
If you haven’t driven by Vince Massaro house on the eastside of Rochester (not far from Park Ave.) to see his yard; you are in for a treat. I saw him out working the other day and stopped to say hello and thank him for keeping his yard so interesting. He’s always changing it. http://www.rochesterpublicart.com/public_art/?art=massaros_sculpture_garden
A few years ago, standard advice for a job seeker would have included: get a degree or spiff up your resume. I found a report that is a compilation of suggestions from various individuals about the NEW job search and how to really take a new approach to landing in this hyper-competitive job market.
Their suggestions range from, “Be the CEO of YOU, Inc.” to “See Yourself in 3 Dimensions”. I particularly liked, “Get very, very clear on the type of work you truly want,” describing that this market will not tolerate the, “I can do anything you need” attitude. For each job there are many individuals with the specific skills to that job. It’s an employers market.
Being the CEO of you suggests these strategies:
1. Develop a mission/vision statement. Understand who you are/where you’re going.
2. Develop a plan. Include having the right relationships (vendors, customers, etc.).
3. Developing a strategic board of directors.
4. Ensuring your product is up to date, up to par, get training, learn, and grow.
I would add the standard “network”, with the caveat to use as many of the social media tools as possible. Use of these tools demonstrates an ability to adapt and pay attention to trends. If visibility = opportunity, then the more visible you are, the more likely you are to get noticed for positions. Keep the funnel open
There is something here for everyone. I would add involve your family in a positive way. You are showing them how to cope in difficult circumstances. Also, have fun. Do something everyday that you might not be able to do if you were working. http://www.bestcareerstrategies.com/
Fun and Interesting Inexpensive/Free Things To Do in Rochester
Visit the Rochester Public Library Downtown. If you have small children and you haven’t yet taken them to the children’s room, you are in for a treat. Not only is the room delightful but they have a chance to explore the ‘secret doorway’. For events go to: http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/
The Business section has an abundance of information to help learn about potential employers. The librarians are patient and helpful. How about Rochester history? Job hunting help? http://www3.libraryweb.org/home2.aspx
I teach social media for job hunters several times a month and meet lots of great people. When I talk about twitter, I often hear, “Twitter’s stupid.” If you don’t need a job and think twitter is stupid you can stop reading right now.
Life Transitions, job search | Deborah | 
March 10, 2010 6:34 am | 
Comments (2) 
Subscribe