Leveraging Social Networking

Presented By: Aaron L FriedmanEmail: aaron116@comcast.net

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron116Twitter: http://twitter.com/aaron116Blog: http://livefromnj.wordpress.com

Web Portfolio: http://www.mycareerhighlights.com/aaronfriedman

AgendaWhy Networking?Social Networking BasicsLinkedIn

Managing your profileExpanding your networkJob postingsGroupsAdditional applications

Why Network?How did you find your most recent job?

Newspaper Ad?Internet posting?Word of mouth/referral?

Current Trends in Job Search StrategiesAccording to Richard Bolles, Author of What Color Is Your Parachute, internet and newspapers have a 1 – 24% success rate whereas networking yields a 50% – 86% success rate.

Overview

In other words: “Find Your People!”

Internet, specifically social networking sites, offers new way to do this.Great tool for both introverts and extroverts!

Social Networking Defined

A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.

Social Networking Tools

MySpaceFacebookPlaxoTwitterFlickrLinkedIn

Get connected with your people!

Employersi.e. Ernst and Young Recruiting on FacebookLockheed Martin past and present employees on LinkedIn

Professional AssociationsMCDA, Career Professionals Network on LinkedIn

UniversitiesCapella on Facebook and LinkedIn

Community and Volunteer GroupsPet Haven on Facebook

Survey: How are you using Social Networking

Are you using social networking tools?Please list the ones you are using.Do you have a blog?Do you read blogs?If so, which ones???

Employers Surveyed

How are they using social networking?22% of hiring managers researched job candidates (up from 11% in 2006)9% that plan to start34% found content caused them to eliminate candidate from consideration24% found content solidified hiring/consideration decision

Leverage Social Networking in Job Search

Employers looking for:Background supported job qualificationsDemonstrated fit for cultureProfile was creativeGreat references postedProfessional image portrayedHonors/awards received and highlightedDemonstrated wide range of interests

Before You (or your clients/students) Dive In, Consider…

How and why are you going to participate?

Professional UsePersonal UsePublic Use

Personal<--------------------------->Professional

Our focus today:

Professional Social Networking Site

From LinkedIn’s “About” Page

LinkedIn’s simple philosophy:Relationships Matter

LinkedIn has over 35 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S.Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.

Who are the People Joining LinkedIn?

22% Senior Executives 8.5 million – most are happily employed and not looking for a job

30% - Savvy Networkers 9 million – “it’s all about networking”69% read blogs – 9% keep their own blogs

30% - employed25% - employed – not looking19% – full-time consulting9% - Consulting but looking

Study by Beth Snyder Bulilk (Consumer Electronics, Tech - Reporter) – November 2008

Who are the People Joining LinkedIn?

21% Exploring Options 6.1 million – looking for jobs

28% Late Adopters 6.6 million not exactly sure – they were invited by a contact

have an average of 23 connections – the overall average is 38

Study by Beth Snyder Bulilk (Consumer Electronics, Tech - Reporter) – November 2008

Components of LinkedIn

Our focus on:Managing your profileExpanding your networkJob postingsGroupsAdditional applications

Purpose of Profile

First impressions count!No typos, detailed, keywords

Communicate information about you

Develop and maintain professionalbranded online identity

LinkedIn Profile Tips

Include professional pictureEnhance profile with accomplishment statements or key skills

Resume rules applyChronological or functional resume format

Add keywords based on your industry and profession

LinkedIn Profile Tips

Keep updated (always!)Use acronyms and spell out schools, certifications, etc.Give and ask for recommendations

Recent and applicable

LinkedIn Profile Tips (continued)

Remain positiveAbout past clients, employers, etc.

Make profile publicCustomize profile’s URL to your name (a “Vanity” URL)e.g. http://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron116

Add to email signature, blog, website, business cards, etc.

Status: What my people & I are up to?

Benefits: Build online brand

e.g. http://ping.fm is a simple service that makes updating all your social networks a snap.

Informs of opportunitiesProvides reason to stay connected

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it”.- Benjamin Franklin

Managing Your Online Persona

Don’ts (rules apply for all other online media)Badmouth current/previous employer/colleaguesMention you’re on a job search if your present employer isn’t awareWrite or post anything you wouldn’t want

your own family to see,to see on a billboard,to be published on the front page of USA Today

Research Others

Search for potential employers, colleagues, etc. via LinkedIn to conduct job search research

Develop tailored resumes and cover lettersPrepare for interviewsMaintain connection with contacts

Learn areas of interest: forward articles, ask/answer questions, stay abreast of challenges and opportunities

Expanding Your Network

Create a Network of 500+ Right Now!

Sign-up or login to your LinkedIn accountClick on “Contacts” on the left NavigationClick “Add Connections” on next screen

Enter Aaron Friedman under first & last name, then enter my email address: aaron116@comcast.netNext click “Edit/preview invitation text”. Write a short sentence explaining how you know me; *important* (to me, at least)Click “Send Invitation”

The same connection page will allow you to import contacts saved in your address books

LinkedIn Add Connections (Screenshot)

Groups (“Your People!”)

FindJoinCreate Your Own

“Joining Groups that are relevant to your career goals will expand your network and stir up interest for face-to-face meets and referral based interviews.”

LinkedIn Job Search

Login to your LinkedIn accountClick the “Jobs” link on the top navigationIn the “Jobs” section, click the “Advanced Job Search” tabEnter your search criteria as you would on any online job board, then click “Search” at the bottom of the page to query your request

See Fig 1, Fig 2, & Fig 3 Screenshots for visual example.

LinkedIn Job Search (Fig 1 – Main Jobs Page)

LinkedIn Job Search (Fig 2 – Advanced Search)

LinkedIn Job Search (Fig 3 – Search Results)

Q & A Between LinkedIn & You…

Ask Questions (to your Connections & Groups)For advice, expertise, feedback and/or resources

Answer Questions (to your Connections & Groups)Share your expertise and interact with group discussions

Always look for opportunities to connect with “Your People” and “New People”

Questions?

What

How

Why