Job Action Day 2009: Today’s Enlightened Jobseeker

by | Oct 30, 2009 | Prepare Yourself, Social networking, Thinking the right way | 46 comments

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As a member of Career Collective–a community of resume writers and career coaches, this article is one of many responses to Quintessential Careers “Job Action Day”. I encourage you to visit other members’ responses, which will be linked at the end of my article on November 2nd. Please follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

Challenging times call for new ideas and new ways. The classic job search of newspaper job classifieds and resumes sent through the postal system seems like a lifetime away.

Today’s enlightened jobseeker is “connected” to people on Linkedin, is “tweeting” on Twitter, joins industry groups on Facebook, comments on industry blogs and is constantly forming relationships through these forms of social media to get access to information that frequently is not even yet listed in newspapers or  job boards.

All very fine and good to say, but for the novice this can feel like a different language and a whole new world and jobseekers are often confused. Why is it done? How do you go about it? What is the point of it all?

The Point of it all

The point of getting involved in social media is to be exposed to people who know something you do not and find out information on jobs and hiring that is not readily available through bulletin boards and newspaper classifieds. Can you imagine how helpful it would be to see a person casually remark on Twitter something like this? “Looks like the network administration job is finally going to be advertised. Thank goodness. Things have been a mess here for ages”

How handy would it be to pop off a private message to your “follower” to ask where that job may be? Yes, that company may advertise, but being first with that knowledge coupled with some detective work on your part in looking up contact details and company addresses, and your resume can be emailed before the job advertisement has been published.

Why is it done?

Being the first to find out information gives you a decided advantage in these challenging times where numerous people are vying for the same job as you. If you can be emailing and tailoring your resume to fit the company before anyone even knows about it, you may find yourself the only candidate.

The How.

We will start with LinkedIn.

What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn is a site for business people where you can reconnect with people from past jobs, search for people you would like to get to know, pose questions on industry-specific forums and use your knowledge and expertise to respond to questions from others. This allows you to become known as a subject matter expert and will elevate your profile which in turn may get the attention of hiring authorities and decision-makers. Signing up to LinkedIn is straightforward, requiring only your name, email and a password for logging in later from this link.  Once you have done that, you can start by creating your profile: adding in where you have worked, dates, education and so on. When your profile is created, start looking for past colleagues and people you know. You’ll be surprised at how many you find. Feel free to play around on Linkedin. You can’t “break” anything and the best way to get to know something is to use it. You will find ways to send direct private messages to catch up with old friends and ways to become active.

Twitter.

You may have heard about Twitter. People call it a micro-blogging platform. Simply it is a way to make friends and connections in a way that is short, concise, fun and informative. Now you may have heard some people scoff saying “Why do I want to know what people are eating for breakfast?” as if that is all anyone does on Twitter! Finding out what people are eating is not what today’s enlightened jobseeker has in mind! Job search can be vastly enhanced by gaining access to a vast array of experts in their fields–from recruiters to resume writers and coaches, through to hiring managers and business owners. You can seek these people out by searching for keywords such as jobs, recruitment, recruiters, hiring managers, HR and industry-specific words and phrases. Once you find these professionals you can be exposed to volumes of interesting information and in many cases see jobs that are being advertised that you may not have otherwise been exposed.

The key to building relationships on Twitter is being friendly and open. Never cause fights, don’t argue, don’t be rude or discourteous, and while others may swear or say off-colour things, as a job seeker this is the last thing you want to do.

Signing up to Twitter is simple. Click here to create a username and password, add your email and that’s it! Next, go to find people here and you can look for friends or people you know. Following people means that you are “subscribed” to what they say. So whenever one of the people you follow makes a statement or asks a question (that’s called a “tweet”) you will see it on your Twitter area in your web browser. Sending a tweet is easy too, you just write something that is no longer than 140 letters in the Twitter box marked “What are you doing?

The way you can search for words or items of interest is to click on “search” and look for a word preceded by what is called a hashtag which looks like this: #

So if you’re looking for the word jobs, type #jobs in the search field. Also, look for #recruiters #recruit #hiring #jobseekers #jobsearch #hiring and any other related search criteria. You will never know what information you find that could be the beginnings of a new job for you. (You don’t have to use the web browser to use Twitter either. There are a lot of different software applications for accessing Twitter too including some for your mobile telephone. Just “Google” Twitter applications and search away for what suits you).

Blogs.

Blogs are another way for today’s enlightened jobseeker to elevate his or her profile and get noticed in a specific industry or sector. The easiest way is to visit corporate or business blogs and read information or articles. Most blogs have a comment feature below each article where you can respond to what you have read and include your name, website (if you don’t have a website you can use your Twitter address) and make a brief comment. You can add to the conversation by providing information not given in the article that will show you as an expert, or you can re-affirm the blogger’s words in a positive manner. Never be a troublemaker or disagree rudely in a public forum. Potential employers could be watching!

Another way blogs can build your profile as an expert in your field, is if you create your own blog. Blogger is probably the easiest place to start if you are a novice and like LinkedIn and Twitter, it is free and easy to use.

Make your blog specifically about your area of expertise. For instance, if you are a network administrator you may want to talk about problems you’ve resolved, equipment recommendations and special tweaks you have developed. You can also include a download link to the PDF version of your resume to make it more of a work portfolio. Search engines index Blogger blogs quickly so hiring managers can have the opportunity to “google” your name and find your blog, your Twitter service and your LinkedIn profile–all showing you “on brand” as a person who understands and is savvy to the value of social networking.

Words of caution:

  • Never say anything or upload any picture that you wouldn’t want your grandma or your next employer to read or see. The internet is forever. Don’t ever forget it!
  • Don’t exploit people by pushing for information when you haven’t established a relationship (or really even when you have).
  • Don’t repeat your own needs ad nauseam. If you follow recruiters on Twitter be respectful and don’t push for jobs. You’ll find yourself unpopular and blocked from receiving information in no time.

There is a whole new world out there for the savvy jobseeker and information is the key. Today professionals provide information and insight that you would otherwise never receive without significant resources at your disposal. Use these free and powerful tools wisely as only an enlightened jobseeker should!

Check out other articles by Career Collective members on today’s jobseeking trends including green jobs, entrepreneurship, cutting-edge job search techniques and more.

Meg Montford: Job Action Day: Finding Your “Mojo” After Layoff

Debra Wheatman: Plan B from outer space; or what do you have in case your first plan doesn’t work out?

Heather Mundell: Green Jobs – What They Are and How to Find Them

Erin Kennedy: Cutting Edge Job Search Blueprint

Grace Kutney: Securing Your Career While Navigating the Winds of Change

Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa Why Our Job Search Advice is the Same but Different

Heather R. Huhman, Take Action: 10 Steps for Landing an Entry-Level Job

Laurie Berenson: Making lemonade out of lemons: Turn unemployment into entrepreneurship

Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter: You Can Thrive In, Not Just Survive, an Economic Slogging

Rosalind Joffe: Preparedness: It’s Not Just for Boyscouts

Rosa E. Vargas: Are You Evolving Into The On-Demand Professional of Tomorrow?

Dawn Bugni: Your network IS your net worth

Miriam Salpeter: Optimize your job hunt for today’s economy

GL Hoffman: The Life of An Entrepreneur: Is It for You?

Katharine Hansen: Job Action Day 09: His Resume Savvy Helped New Career Rise from Layoff Ashes

Martin Buckland: Job Search–The Key to Securing Your Future Career.

Chandlee Bryan: Where the Green Jobs Are

Barbara Safani: Where the Jobs Are 2009 and Beyond

J.T. O’Donnell: Actions that got people jobs in this recession

 

“Looks like the network administration job is finally going to be advertised. Thank goodness. Things have been a mess here for ages”
How handy would it be to send pop off a private message to your “follower” to ask where that job may be? Yes, that company may advertise, but you are first with that knowledge and a bit of detective work on your part looking up contact details and addresses, and your resume is already being emailed before the job advertisement has been published.
Why is it done?
Being the first to find out information gives you a decided advantage in these challenging times where numerous people are vying for the same job as you. If you can be emailing and tailoring your resume to fit the company before anyone even knows about it, you may find yourself the only candidate.
The How.
LinkedIn.
What is linkedIn? LinkedIn is a site for business people where you can reconnect with people from past jobs, search for people you would like to get to know, pose questions on industry-specific forums and use your knowledge and expertise to respond to questions from others. This allows you to become known as a subject matter expert and will elevate your profile and in turn may get the attention of hiring authorities and decision makers. Signing up to LinkedIn is straightforward, requiring only your name, email and a password for logging in later from this link. https://www.linkedin.com/reg/join?trk=whatis_join Once you have done that, you can start by creating your profile — where you have worked, dates, education and so on. When your profile is created, start looking for past colleagues and people you know. You’ll be surprised how many you find. Feel free to play around on Linkedin. You can’t “break” anything and the best way to get to know something is to use it. You will find ways to send direct private messages to catch up with old friends and ways to become active. Recommended reading: Jason Alba has created a great DVD of webinars on ways of optimising your presence on linked in. You may want to read more about it here: https://www.topmargin.com/recommended-reading.html
Twitter.
You may have heard about Twitter. People call it a micro-blogging platform. Simply it is a way to talk about what you are doing and make friends and connections. Now you may have heard some people scoff saying “Why do I want to know what people are eating for breakfast?” as if that is all anyone does on Twitter! Finding out what people are eating is not what the enlightened jobseeker has in mind! Job search can be vastly enhanced by gaining access to a paradise of experts in their fields–from recruiters to resume writers, coaches, hiring managers, and business owners. The key is to seek these people out by searching for key words such as jobs, recruitment, recruiters, hiring managers, HR and more. Once you find these people you can be exposed to volumes of interesting information and in many cases see jobs that are being advertised that you may not have otherwise seen.
The key to building relationships on Twitter is being friendly and open. Never cause fights and while others may swear or say off colour things, as a job seeker this is the last thing you want to do.
Signing up to Twitter is simple. Click here https://twitter.com/signup and you need to create a username and password, add your email and that’s it! Next go to find people here https://twitter.com/invitations/find_on_twitter you can look for friends or people you know. Following people means that you are “subscribed” to what they say. So whenever one of the people you follow writes he or she is doing (that’s called a “tweet”) you will see it on your web browser. Sending a tweet is easy too, you just write something that is no longer than 140 letters in the box on the screen marked “What are you doing?
The way you can search for words or items of interest, is to click on “search” and look for a word preceded by what is called a hashtag which looks like this: #
So if you’re looking for the word jobs, type #jobs in the search field. Also look for #recruiters #recruit #hiring #jobseekers #jobsearch and any other related search criteria. You will never know what information you find that could be the beginnings of a new job for you.
Blogs.
Blogs are another way for today’s enlightened jobseeker to elevate his or her profile and get noticed in a specific industry or sector. The easiest way is to visit corporate or business blogs and read information or articles. Most blogs have a comment feature below each article where you can respond to what you have read along with your name, website (if you don’t have a website you can use your Twitter address) and a brief comment. You can add to the conversation by providing information not given in the article that will show you as an expert, or you can re-affirm the blogger’s words in a positive manner. Never be a troublemaker or disagree rudely in a public forum.
Another way blogs can build your profile as an expert in your field is if you actually create a blog yourself. Blogger is probably the easiest place to start if you are a novice and it is free and easy to use. https://www.blogger.com/start
Make your blog specifically about your area of expertise. If for instance you are a network administrator, you may want to talk about problems you’ve  resolved, equipment recommendations, special tweaks you have developed. You can also include a download link to the PDF of your resume to make a work portfolio. Search engines index Blogger blogs quickly so hiring managers can have the opportunity to “google” your name and find your blog, your Twitter service and your LinkedIn profile–all showing you “on brand” as a person who understands and is savvy to the value of social networking.
Word of caution:
Never say anything or upload any picture that you wouldn’t want your grandma or your next employer to read or see. The internet is forever.
Don’t “use” people by pushing for information when you haven’t established a relationship or to keep repeating your own needs. If you follow recruiters on Twitter be respectful and don’t push for jobs. You’ll find yourself unpopular and blocked from receiving information in no time.
There is a whole new world out there for the savvy jobseeker and the good thing about it that each professional is providing information and insight that you would otherwise never receive without significant resources at your disposal. Use these free and powerful tools wisely as only an enlightened jobseeker should!

46 Comments

  1. GL Hoffman
    GL Hoffman on October 31, 2009 at 12:58 pm

    Nice summary Gayle of the new tools available for jobseekers today. One thing I have learned, just to add to the conversation, is to keep with it. I have been blogging for sometime now and I think I am just now finding my voice…and the same way with Twitter. Plus I have met so many interesting people who I would NEVER have met. Even some from as far away as Australia–can you imagine?
    best….GL

    Reply
    • Gayle
      Gayle on October 31, 2009 at 9:16 pm

      I agree with that. It is obvious to me that many people try it for a couple of weeks and then when/if nothing seems to be happening, give it a miss. You’re right. Everything that works properly takes an investment of time. Oh and really? As far away as Australia? hehe

      Reply
  2. GL Hoffman
    GL Hoffman on October 31, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Nice summary Gayle of the new tools available for jobseekers today. One thing I have learned, just to add to the conversation, is to keep with it. I have been blogging for sometime now and I think I am just now finding my voice…and the same way with Twitter. Plus I have met so many interesting people who I would NEVER have met. Even some from as far away as Australia–can you imagine?
    best….GL

    Reply
    • Gayle
      Gayle on November 1, 2009 at 7:16 am

      I agree with that. It is obvious to me that many people try it for a couple of weeks and then when/if nothing seems to be happening, give it a miss. You’re right. Everything that works properly takes an investment of time. Oh and really? As far away as Australia? hehe

      Reply
  3. Barbara Safani
    Barbara Safani on October 31, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    Gayle,

    This is a great step by step social media overview.Sometimes we need to go back to the basics to remember why we were using social media in the first place. Thanks for posting!

    Reply
    • Gayle
      Gayle on October 31, 2009 at 11:44 pm

      Thanks Barbara. A lot of people tend to go about their own life not really thinking about these things one way or another, then by the time it has become entrenched in the way things are done they feel a bit adrift, not really knowing where to start and feeling a bit silly asking “newbie” questions. So for those people, I thought a back-to-basics overview would be helpful.

      Reply
  4. Barbara Safani
    Barbara Safani on November 1, 2009 at 8:38 am

    Gayle,

    This is a great step by step social media overview.Sometimes we need to go back to the basics to remember why we were using social media in the first place. Thanks for posting!

    Reply
    • Gayle
      Gayle on November 1, 2009 at 9:44 am

      Thanks Barbara. A lot of people tend to go about their own life not really thinking about these things one way or another, then by the time it has become entrenched in the way things are done they feel a bit adrift, not really knowing where to start and feeling a bit silly asking “newbie” questions. So for those people, I thought a back-to-basics overview would be helpful.

      Reply
  5. Meg Montford
    Meg Montford on November 1, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    I hope midlife job seekers see this post and read how the job search game has changed. Their resistance to embrace change is often at the core of their career-related struggles. As I’ve already blogged about, career reinvention is really about career evolution. Thanks, Gayle, for furthering that understanding.

    Reply
  6. Meg Montford
    Meg Montford on November 2, 2009 at 3:07 am

    I hope midlife job seekers see this post and read how the job search game has changed. Their resistance to embrace change is often at the core of their career-related struggles. As I’ve already blogged about, career reinvention is really about career evolution. Thanks, Gayle, for furthering that understanding.

    Reply
  7. Rosalind Joffe
    Rosalind Joffe on November 1, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    It doesn’t matter how often I read stuff about using social media, there’s always more to learn. There are no experts here. But I often forget to encourage my clients to use it. Haven’t listened to Alba’s work but I’m going to now.

    Reply
  8. Rosalind Joffe
    Rosalind Joffe on November 2, 2009 at 3:59 am

    It doesn’t matter how often I read stuff about using social media, there’s always more to learn. There are no experts here. But I often forget to encourage my clients to use it. Haven’t listened to Alba’s work but I’m going to now.

    Reply
  11. Rosa Vargas
    Rosa Vargas on November 1, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    Excellent post, Gayle. I am glad to see you highlighted the top MUST in social media/networking sites. No job search is complete if the job seeker does not develop their brand or network online. While I don’t encourage that online be the only way —it is definitely a MUST.

    Reply
  12. Rosa Vargas
    Rosa Vargas on November 2, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Excellent post, Gayle. I am glad to see you highlighted the top MUST in social media/networking sites. No job search is complete if the job seeker does not develop their brand or network online. While I don’t encourage that online be the only way —it is definitely a MUST.

    Reply
  15. Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
    Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter on November 2, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Wow Gayle! What a comprehensive post that provides not only the theory and ‘why’ behind job seekers getting involved in web strategies for career movement, but also the ‘how.’

    I really LIKE how you address the feeling of bewilderment for the novices out there. After all, we ALL were novices at one point! I recently researched and installed Skype and a webcam and though the process, once done, was intuitive and somewhat ‘easy,’ the discomfort I felt before taking action and finding a solution was palpable.

    Bottom line, most of the social media ‘tools,’ as you pointed out, are not ‘breakable,’ and by just diving in, exploring, talking, exchanging information, sharing, asking questions and just ‘doing it,’ most job seekers will find the journey a value-add after just a few keystrokes.

    GREAT article, Gayle!

    Jacqui

    Reply
  16. Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
    Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter on November 2, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    Wow Gayle! What a comprehensive post that provides not only the theory and ‘why’ behind job seekers getting involved in web strategies for career movement, but also the ‘how.’

    I really LIKE how you address the feeling of bewilderment for the novices out there. After all, we ALL were novices at one point! I recently researched and installed Skype and a webcam and though the process, once done, was intuitive and somewhat ‘easy,’ the discomfort I felt before taking action and finding a solution was palpable.

    Bottom line, most of the social media ‘tools,’ as you pointed out, are not ‘breakable,’ and by just diving in, exploring, talking, exchanging information, sharing, asking questions and just ‘doing it,’ most job seekers will find the journey a value-add after just a few keystrokes.

    GREAT article, Gayle!

    Jacqui

    Reply
  17. Debra Wheatman
    Debra Wheatman on November 2, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Gayle:

    This is an excellent post regarding social media, including the in’s and out’s. This post definitely breaks it down and makes it much less overwhelming.

    Thanks, I really enjoyed reading this.

    Deb

    Reply
  18. Debra Wheatman
    Debra Wheatman on November 2, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    Gayle:

    This is an excellent post regarding social media, including the in’s and out’s. This post definitely breaks it down and makes it much less overwhelming.

    Thanks, I really enjoyed reading this.

    Deb

    Reply
  19. Kathy Hansen
    Kathy Hansen on November 2, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    #JobActionDay09: Today's Enlightened Jobseeker | The Executive Brand Blog http://ow.ly/y6RF #CareerCollective Please RT!

    Reply
  20. Kathy Hansen
    Kathy Hansen on November 2, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    #JobActionDay09: Today's Enlightened Jobseeker | The Executive Brand Blog http://ow.ly/y6RF #CareerCollective Please RT!

    Reply
  35. J.T. O'Donnell
    J.T. O'Donnell on November 3, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Thanks so much Gayle for embracing technology and reinforcing it’s necessity in today’s job search – your outline is fabulous!

    JT
    CAREEREALISM.com

    Reply
  36. J.T. O'Donnell
    J.T. O'Donnell on November 3, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Thanks so much Gayle for embracing technology and reinforcing it’s necessity in today’s job search – your outline is fabulous!

    JT
    CAREEREALISM.com

    Reply
  37. Dawn Bugni
    Dawn Bugni on November 3, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    Gayle –

    EXCELLENT summary about using social media to increase Internet presence, strengthen a network, make new connections and uncover early information about career opportunities.

    Career management in the age of social media is a lifetime away from “snail mailing” documents. The savvy, successful career manager/job seeker knows how to use social media. You’ve laid out the path to an excellent start.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  38. Dawn Bugni
    Dawn Bugni on November 3, 2009 at 10:53 pm

    Gayle –

    EXCELLENT summary about using social media to increase Internet presence, strengthen a network, make new connections and uncover early information about career opportunities.

    Career management in the age of social media is a lifetime away from “snail mailing” documents. The savvy, successful career manager/job seeker knows how to use social media. You’ve laid out the path to an excellent start.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  39. Erin Kennedy
    Erin Kennedy on November 5, 2009 at 4:55 am

    Nice little tutorial on social networking and the power of getting out there and being proactive with it. I like the title too, “the enlightened jobseeker”. Very appropriate!

    Erin Kennedy

    Reply
  40. Erin Kennedy
    Erin Kennedy on November 5, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    Nice little tutorial on social networking and the power of getting out there and being proactive with it. I like the title too, “the enlightened jobseeker”. Very appropriate!

    Erin Kennedy

    Reply
  41. ridwanzero
    ridwanzero on December 29, 2009 at 9:31 am

    Hai this is Ridwanzero…this post was mentioned on Twitter by Miriam Salpeter, Meg Montford, Rosa E. Vargas, Heather Mundell, Torben Rick and others. Torben Rick said: RT @gaylehoward Today’s Enlightened Jobseeker……….

    Reply
  42. ridwanzero
    ridwanzero on December 29, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    Hai this is Ridwanzero…this post was mentioned on Twitter by Miriam Salpeter, Meg Montford, Rosa E. Vargas, Heather Mundell, Torben Rick and others. Torben Rick said: RT @gaylehoward Today’s Enlightened Jobseeker……….

    Reply

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About Gayle Howard

If you are interested in working with Gayle Howard—an executive resume writer, Certified Master Resume Writer, multi-award-winning resume writer, and Master LinkedIn profile writer, drop her a line now using the contact form at the link above. Gayle can help you get interviews for your dream job and bring the world of business to you by maximizing your exposure and connections on LinkedIn.

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