The Unemployed Life

10 Tips for Social Networking Your Way to a Job

It’s not just a load of Web 2.0 hype—you can find a job using social networks, according to Brad and Debra Schepp.

“ We’ve spoken to many people who use LinkedIn, Twitter and even MySpace to find jobs—regular 9-to-5 jobs or consulting gigs or freelance work,” says Brad, who with his wife authored How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and Other Social Networks.

I get pitched a lot of job-hunting books. Most of them should have been made into pamphlets instead. But after my first glance through the Schepps’ book, I quickly made a few adjustments to my LinkedIn profile—and I’m not even looking for a job. Here are ten of their tips for getting the most out of social networks.

Get on LinkedIn

The site has become so widely used, that if you don’t have a profile, “it might give an employer pause,” Brad says.  “That’s often where they first check people out.”

Join Groups

That includes industry, nonprofit and alumni groups on LinkedIn. Once you join, you are automatically linked to everyone else in the group, so you can start becoming a thought leader. “If you belong to the humane society group and you are posting info about disaster relief and animals, people are going to think of you in that way,” Brad says. Debra was even approached by an agent after she answered a question about deadlines in a writing group. “She said she liked my ethic and asked if I would be interested in her representing me,” she says.

Post Things That Help You Get Found

LinkedIn allows you to share an “update” with others, which you can use to turn up in people’s searches.  “If you write an interesting blog post or read an interesting journal article, put it on your Linked in profile,” Debra advises. “Someone who is searching for related keywords might end up coming upon you.”

Don’t Use the “U” Word

If you happen to have been laid off, don’t tell everyone you’re unemployed—especially in a status update. Spin it in a positive way. “You might want to say something like, ‘Enthusiastically pursuing opportunities in IT,’” Brad says.

Follow Companies You’re Interested In

Twitter and Facebook let you see updates from companies, and now LinkedIn does too, Brad points out. Updates about a new business, new hire (or a new departure) might clue you in to opportunities. Employers have also been known to post jobs on their Twitter feeds.

Check Out People with “Your” Job

Look for people who hold a position you would like to have, and examine their profiles. What keywords do they use? How do they describe their work? “It will help you frame your experience in the same kinds of terms that other people are searching for,” Debra says.

Use “Consulting” Carefully

“It’s a really bad idea to say that you’re freelancing or consulting unless you really are,” Debra advises. “It’s going to come up in an interview and if you can’t back it up, it’s going to look bad.”

Don’t Lie

Desperate times may seem to call for corresponding methods. “Nowadays with the internet, it’s way too easy to find out that something isn’t true,” Brad warns.

Don’t Connect Generically

“Suppose you go to a seminar and the speaker is really fabulous and you leave with their business card. If you just send them a canned [LinkedIn] invitation, what’s in it for that person to open up her network?” Debra says. The Schepps advise sending a customized message to each person. If you’re building your network, start with former colleagues you know. “Say something like, I’m so glad to see you on LinkedIn, and I’m eager to find out what’s going on with you. Please join my network.”

Enhance Your Resume

Use LinkedIn’s tools to show more of what you can do. Link to your website or Twitter feed, and include slideshows of your work, Brad suggests.

Tags: finding a job, job-hunting, technology, The Unemployed Life, work